tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567Fri, 09 Dec 2016 22:44:37 +0000Salsa Cyclesfun ridegravel grinderfat bikeMuklukTrans IowaFargoThe Snow DogGuitar Ted Death Ridetitanium3GRDirty Kanza 200gravel29"erBlack Mountain Cyclesgravel bikesingle speedBy-TorInterbikeSurlyTrans Iowa V7Camp IngawanissnowTrans Iowa V10Trans Iowa V11WTBTrans Iowa V6Trans Iowa V9winterGTDRIOdin's RevengeGreen BeltOrange CrushTubelessRaleighBlackborow DSTrans Iowa V8VelocityTouring TuesdaysBike Shop TalesTrans Iowa V12Gravel Grinder NewsTwenty Nine InchesGeezer RideTriple DTrans Iowa Talescarbon fiberOn OneSingular CyclesRiding GravelAdventuringGravel World ChampionshipsMinus Ten ReviewOS Bikes BlackbucktiresEl PasoKarate MonkeyTamland Twogravel grinder.29+FrostbikeRenegade Gentleman's Racegravel grindingTwin Six Standard Rando29"ersB+mudErgonFalldrop barRegistrationwheelsEuropa Cycle and Skicommute by bicycleBen WittT.I.V8The Race Against Death TourTrans Iowa Masters ProgramVayaJeff KerkoveOrigin 8TrekShimano650BTubeless Ready29"er Big Wheeled BallyhooGuitar TedT.I.v12Trans Iowa V5Buzzardcold29erBig MamaInbredMilltown CyclesNiner BikesBarns For JasonClement TiresGary FisherLuxy BarSawyerTwin Sixgravel ride27.5erBontragerIngawanis WoodsNano 40steelGood Life Gravel AdventureMike CuriakProject 1X1Trans Iowa v13Bike shop horrorsEl MariachiGeorge Wyth State ParkGryphonPofahlSRAMSea OtterT.I.v13Trans Iowa Clinicfull suspensionsicknessChris KingFat FargoGravel MuttMilwaukee Bicycle Companysingle trackCedar BendMGMonster CrossTIMPCIRREMRaleigh TamlandRiding Gravel Radio Ranchbikepackingrantridesnow bikespring27.5+BadgerDirty Kanza 200 Chronicles V2EurobikeReconSalsaTamlandfun45NorthDuallyMemorial DaySpecializedTrek WorldWoodchippergravel tiresnight rideAlmanzo 100Bike Bag DudeDirty Kanza 200 ChroniclesGrinnellLube-OffMidge BarcustomretroshiftBig DummyExtraterrestrialGeaxHED WheelsRagley BikesSterling tireTCS tubelessThe BeltTour DivideTurkey Burncameracrank setgravel grinder bikes1X11300 Miles Of GravelA-23Challenge TiresMike's BikesMountain Bike RadioMukTrukNAHBSNorthfieldProject WhiteWarbirdlightsride stokextracycleB maintenance roadCup O Dirt ChallengeFatbackGates Carbon Belt DriveJoel DykeLas VegasProject LTHTThe CyclistThe Monkey DecadeTour de Franceall-road bikescyclo-crossdisc brakesplanet bikeracing1X1A Decade Of NonsenseBig Wheeled BallyhooBodyFloat postGary BarLabor DayLezyneMerry ChristmasMisfitPhil WoodRawland CyclesStan'sTrailblazer 2.8Trans Iowa V2Trans Iowa V3breezer bikescommuteelectronic shiftingfenderslong travelmid-fatmountain bikesoff road drop bar4th of JulyCarbon BeargreaseChaff BagCliffhanger rimsCountry ViewsCowbell IIFargo Adventure Ride 2010Franklin MountainMr.24Project Two SixRAGBRAISummerT.I.v4The ChainThe Kanza RideVassagoWW4MWhite Industriesbike shopscommuterdi2electric bicyclesflowersgravel roadsold stuffrandomoniumsuspension forkurban cyclingwind201029"er history: 29"ers36"erBicycle Retailer and Industry NewsBikes of 2015BlackborowBorealisCannondaleCarbon FattyDillingerFather's DayGravel Worlds 16Gun KoteIbis CyclesKnardLenzMr 24NebraskaOakleyPirate Cycling LeagueRaineir Single SpeedRaleigh RokerRock ShoxSRAM XX1Soul CyclesTacopocalypseThe Snow Dog V2UCIVelo OrangeXplor MSOfarleyhandle barhorizon 47icemaintenancerainretro grouchAdvantage CyclesAlamanzo 100Ardent 2.4BeargreaseBig Fat LarryBrant RichardsCaptain BobCarnegie's BarCirrus CyclesDiamond BackDuMonde TechEdge CompositesFargonautFat Bike Century. 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SpyreTeam DickyThe Beginning Of The EndThe Biking HubThe CaptainThe KickstandThe Local SceneThe Renegade SportsmanThe Smart Money Is OnThe Soiled ChamoisThe Studio at 46 WestThomsonThuleTodd WellsTomac BikesTopeak-ErgonTour de FraudTr-FlowTrailmasterTrans Iowa Fireside ChatTrans Iowa TVTransitionTrollTumbleweed ProspectorTwenty2 CyclesTwitterTyranny of ChoiceUSAUSACUSHUllrich ParkUpdate 10Van HalenVegasVelo SyndikatVeloDirtViajeVolagiVoler Sol SkinVooDooVulpineWD-40Wally KilburgWaltWorksWar Axe BicyclesWednesday Fat BikeWheels For LifeWheels and StonesWheelsmithWillardWiredWisconsinWolf Tooth ComponentsXTXX1YetiZach Dundasand Gearsanti-cycling propagandaback packbaconbenefitbib tightsbike geekbike nerdbike pathbiopaceblinky lightbroken partsbushwhackingbusycambiumcampingcell phonecertificationchain stayclipless pedalscoastingcodeinecogscolnagocomponentsconcept bikecopy catcow skeleton bikecross checkcrudflapcrushed rockdealsdecisionsdesertdisc wheeldogsdude fat bikeeasterelectric controlseyewearfailurefamilyfat-bike.comfatbikechatfatboyfeepish bikesfillet brazedfishingflat pedalsflat tireflexfogfoodfreedomfundraiserfunky barsgas pricesgravelistgreasegrease guardgreengripshalloweenheated gripshigh vizhome lifehumidityhydrationiPhonejacquie phelanjungle ridelaboratorylotterymanfurmanufacturingmarketingmatt willsmessenger bagmondays with markmtbr.comoilopinionpanaracer fat b nimblepenny farthingpeoplepicturespress camprackretailriding buddyrip offrocksroller racingros-9+rotor chain ringsafetysecretslash 29slop seasonsnow shoessoft tailsolid tirestage racesticksstrade-bianchistressstupiditythe hivetomi cogtrailertrainertravel by graveltriptweakersvacationvittoria shoesvotewalkingwalnutswhat's in the standwinningwomenxc skiGuitar Ted Productionshttp://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)Blogger4197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-6225033638377138000Fri, 09 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-09T16:54:43.626-05:00fat bikegravel grinderMuklukOrigin 8The Snow DogTi MuklukUCIUSACFriday News And Views<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uB9nWx4D39o/WEnT7sV2HAI/AAAAAAAAlI8/JR1MbZo0QIk900Zx85jG6HVKMWbD5ZFuQCLcB/s1600/PC070019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uB9nWx4D39o/WEnT7sV2HAI/AAAAAAAAlI8/JR1MbZo0QIk900Zx85jG6HVKMWbD5ZFuQCLcB/s320/PC070019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The son's bike has gone 1X11.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Another 1 X 11 Conversion:</b><br /><br />The "sans front derailleur" movement is almost like a religion. To play the game you must "convert". Evangelists of the movement seem convinced that the front derailleur is on the way out. I don't believe that for a second. However; I can see why and how a 1X set up is a valid choice for cycling. To that end, my son, who is having issues realizing how he can use a front derailleur and multiple chain rings, is now going to be front derailleur free.<br /><b> </b><br />No spiritual epiphanies here, just plain practicality. I want to break down any barriers for him toward getting some enjoyment out of riding and so that front derailleur had to go. It was frustrating him to the point that he wouldn't use it. Not an issue now!<br /><b></b><br />I got an NX Grip Shift, since my son prefers twisters, and an NX rear derailleur. A SRAM 1 X 11 chain and a Race Face "narrow-wide" ring in green ano also went on with a GX1 cassette. I matched the front Beargrease take-off wheel with its rear mate finally. All good to go.<br /><br />With school about to take a Christmas recess and with the Sun making a longer visitation in the afternoon in January, I look forward to riding along side him as he pilots this new rig.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqPSNMSNG10/WEoWPFMt_cI/AAAAAAAAlJM/nM7ufxzKrLA15pqmCWNCPBC2srxwCRfzgCLcB/s1600/P4220060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqPSNMSNG10/WEoWPFMt_cI/AAAAAAAAlJM/nM7ufxzKrLA15pqmCWNCPBC2srxwCRfzgCLcB/s320/P4220060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More gab about USAC trying to get into the gravel racing scene.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>More Kerfuffle Concerning The Gravel Scene and USAC:</b><br /><br />Recently this <a href="http://www.velonews.com/2016/12/news/usa-cycling-eyes-gravel-gran-fondo-crowd_425831"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Velo News article</i></span></a> was posted online which stated that USAC was eyeballing the gran fondo and gravel racing scenes. They don't want to, "<i>sit idly by and not be a part of that.</i>"<br /><b> </b><br />Translation: <i>"We don't want to sit and not get any money out of that."</i><br /><br />A link posted to the RidingGravel.com Facebook page and other sites and individuals that linked to that article revealed a very large percentage of negative feelings toward USAC. Besides a lot of rage against USAC concerning the possible ruination of gravel events, I think what we are seeing in the reactions are that many folks distrust USAC. And make no mistake- <i>this is all about money.&nbsp;</i><br /><br />USAC and the UCI have rattled this cage before. I wrote the following in 2013 regarding the possibility of the UCI and USAC looking at gravel events for revenue because you, the riders, may not attend their events. Here's what I wrote then......"<span style="color: blue;"><i>They might be afraid you won't choose their events to ride in though, and with the slew of "free, grassroots" gravel races cropping up and getting a lot of attention with big numbers now, the UCI and USAC may just start taking notice here</i></span>."<br /><br />Of course, those numbers of riders in free, grassroots events need to have the event be insured, right? (This is actually a serious question) That's what USAC is going to pry their way in with. Or at least try to do that. I've written what I think about all of this before and<a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/sooner-or-later.html"><span style="color: blue;"> here is an excellent example</span></a> to check out, if you have a mind to. Bottom line: USAC just doesn't get it.<br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9aLUYtimdo0/WEpDNESwwhI/AAAAAAAAlJc/cN6NQRQxO1Q6DnU5m4DP07e0uzn4z4niQCLcB/s1600/MuklukCraft%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9aLUYtimdo0/WEpDNESwwhI/AAAAAAAAlJc/cN6NQRQxO1Q6DnU5m4DP07e0uzn4z4niQCLcB/s320/MuklukCraft%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's coming back..........<i>again!</i></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<b>Snow Dog Part 3:</b><br /><b><br /></b>If you've been here reading since 2011, you might remember the Snow Dog, my first fat bike. I had to strip it down once for my son's first fat bike in 2013. Then it made a brief reappearance when the Ti Muk became the "MukTruck" for a bit. Then when that experiment failed, I had to swap the wheels back to the Ti Muk and the Snow Dog has been grounded ever since.<br /><br />Okay, if you don't know, the Snow Dog was a special 50th birthday gift from several friends. It was a super crazy surprise that blew me away. I will never be able to sell this frame and fork because of that generous gift.<br /><br />So, anyway, with the completion of my son's latest rig, I have an extra set of wheels now. That means that the next project is to revive the Snow Dog, <i>for the third time, </i>and get it back out and riding again. I may even go super old school and use a front derailleur with <i>three chain rings! </i>That's how it was originally set up. The thing I am thinking about with this bike now is that it will be sort of an all-year touring type bike that happens to have 4.0" tires on it. We'll see, but that is my thought currently.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more on that.......<br /><br />And <i>stay warm! </i>That's it for this week. <br /><i> </i><b></b><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/friday-news-and-views_9.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-331252912253034891Thu, 08 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-08T01:30:01.724-05:00Riding GravelRidingGravel.com jerseytravel by gravelwoolRidingGravel.com Jersey Design For 2017<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idQke2M_zTY/WEiWDQa_uDI/AAAAAAAAlIM/nj8Vyttvue0I6Y_2LfzJfbMxfADNJGZ3ACLcB/s1600/riding_gravel_jersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idQke2M_zTY/WEiWDQa_uDI/AAAAAAAAlIM/nj8Vyttvue0I6Y_2LfzJfbMxfADNJGZ3ACLcB/s320/riding_gravel_jersey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The design was selected by a majority of RidingGravel.com readers that voted.</td></tr></tbody></table>Okay, this will be the jersey design I will be sporting at events for 2017. It was a design idea we posted on <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">RidingGravel.com</span></a> for the readers to vote on there and on our Facebook page as well. These are the colors that were selected.<br /><br />Now for a bit of commentary on this jersey versus what I found worked for me last Summer. If you've been reading here, you know that I went with a lightweight wool jersey over a base layer and traditional bib shorts. You may be assuming that this jersey is not wool, and you would be correct. So.......<i>now what?&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>Well, never fear. </i>I have already taken this fact into account and have looked at options to have a jersey custom made just for myself. A one-off, if you will, out of Merino wool. The plan is to get the fabric in the colors that are closest, take a sample from the regular jerseys, which I should have later on, to a local seamstress, and have that wool fashioned into an approximation of the design shown here.<br /><i> </i><br />It may cost an arm and a leg, but I am unwilling to go backward on the gains I realized from last season with the wool jersey. The "standard" material jersey will get worn aplenty, don't worry, but for the hot, longer events, I will be going with wool. It works for me.<br /><i></i><br /><i>Details on ordering this kit will be released later. There will be no wool jersey option offered, nor planned at this time, so don't ask. </i>http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/ridinggravelcom-jersey-design-for-2017.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-8668677041371644539Wed, 07 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-07T01:30:01.023-05:00Blackborow DSfat bikeflat tirefun rideGreen BeltMarky-MarkTales Of The Night: Fat Biking And Flat Tires <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkJaWC3vW64/WEdINe3mcPI/AAAAAAAAlHo/wIUNaYwCECgCdWy_OOgENvxzl1Tvte6vgCLcB/s1600/PC030001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkJaWC3vW64/WEdINe3mcPI/AAAAAAAAlHo/wIUNaYwCECgCdWy_OOgENvxzl1Tvte6vgCLcB/s320/PC030001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things started off just fine.</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, I ended up going out on Saturday for a fat bike ride of the Green Belt. I got out pretty late after wrestling with setting up my son's fat bike with a 1X set up. (Needs a couple more parts yet, stay tuned....)<br /><br />So, I decided I had better put on some lights and I headed out. It was chilly, but not too bad. there was a bit of snow in the forecast, but it wasn't supposed to kick in until later on. I didn't figure on being in that, but I did figure on getting in a bit of riding in the dark. Hopefully just a little bit.<br /><br />Things were going well, actually, and I was making great progress getting all the way out to Shaulis Road before the Sun set. I figured on maybe having to turn the lights on for a minimal amount of single track. I could see pretty well all the way back to Ridgeway, but after crossing there and hitting Marky-Mark trail, things went pear shaped.<br /><br />That trail is narrow, twisty, and undulates a lot more than the rest of the Green Belt trails do. So, my lone bar mounted light was not pointed where I wanted to see about 60-70% of the time. Yes.... <i>I know better, </i>but I thought I wasn't going to be out quite this late. I started to ping-pong around a bit due to my inability to see. Finally, I stopped to gather my wits about me. then I noticed it.......<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvg_70zRzPI/WEdvJAkXSdI/AAAAAAAAlH8/1_E4K5EOhrc4XqG7PJ2ZGjvFpF_l6an2QCLcB/s1600/PC030002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvg_70zRzPI/WEdvJAkXSdI/AAAAAAAAlH8/1_E4K5EOhrc4XqG7PJ2ZGjvFpF_l6an2QCLcB/s320/PC030002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside my little bubble of illumination, it was really dark.</td></tr></tbody></table><i>Flat tire!? </i>Yep. My front tire was flat. <i>Bah! </i>This was a bad spot to deal with it as well. Marky-Mark is tight and there isn't a good place to get a field repair done. I decided to walk it out to the meeting of Marky-Mark with the original trail where the Parks Department had a wide berth mowed through.<br /><br />Here I laid out my repair items and I found that I must add at least one more item to the list of things I take along- A needle nose pliers and maybe even an awl or other sharp, pokey metal object. You see, I found a thorn by using my wool glove liner to wipe the inner side of the tire. The liner glove caught the thorn tip, and that saved my skin from being torn or at the least, poked painfully. However; I had no tool worth using to dislodge that thorn. Fortunately enough of it protruded from the outside of the tire that I could grasp it with my finger nails. Some gentle persuasion got it to pull free.<br /><br />The thorn was removed so then I could install a new tube. The Crank Brothers pump I had really worked quickly and well. (It is an ancient first gen version of <a href="https://www.crankbrothers.com/pumps_sterling-lg"><span style="color: blue;">this pump</span></a>) I was back together, but it was a slow affair as I had to be deliberate and careful in the dark so as not to misplace anything. The tire and wheel back together and where it belonged, I cleaned and repacked the gear. Then I prepared to take off. I was sure Mrs. Guitar Ted was expecting me by now, and it was getting late.<br /><br />As I left, I was mystified as to what had become of one of my glove liners. Couldn't find it, but a search just before leaving with my bright light revealed nothing. I must have stuffed it in another place or pocket, maybe? Well, maybe you've guessed it by now, but I realized where it was and then a little later the bike path confirmed it. <i>I had left it inside the tire casing</i>!<br /><br /><i>Whump! Whump! Whump! </i>All the way home, but at least I was able to ride home! http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/tales-of-night-fat-biking-and-flat-tires.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-5539474818401200559Tue, 06 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-06T01:30:30.403-05:00Big DummyBikes of 2016SurlyBikes Of 2016: Surly Big Dummy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hGeQa18hHs/WEVlg1V2dpI/AAAAAAAAlHQ/FrEyEq_IQc0ydqT8AT6NdzX3DTFTw7GzwCLcB/s1600/PB270001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hGeQa18hHs/WEVlg1V2dpI/AAAAAAAAlHQ/FrEyEq_IQc0ydqT8AT6NdzX3DTFTw7GzwCLcB/s320/PB270001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i>The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed.</i><br /><br />The Surly Big Dummy had been on my "want" list" for many years. Mostly because of my "Xtracycled Schwinn<i>" </i>which I used on a fairly regular basis for several years. While the longtail add on was nice, I grew to become disappointed with the set up. It lacked many things which are vital to being safe and having an enjoyable ride. Like good brakes when the thing was loaded. That wasn't all, but it was the main reason the bike sketched me out on more than one occasion.<br /><br />So, I knew that a Big Dummy was the solution. I had always planned a build and in fact, I had some hubs and rims lined up for a possible wheel build, but I let other things take precedence and the project was stalled. Finally, something happened that made me kind of sit up and take note. A friend sold a Big Dummy and I nearly pulled the trigger and bought it. It was a really well spec'ed example, and it went for far less than I thought it should have. I saw it sell in 28 minutes or something ridiculous like that after it was posted to a Facebook forum. That kind of got me worked up. I should have bought the thing.<br /><br />Well, another friend ended up selling one and that's the one I got. I wasn't about to make the same mistake twice!&nbsp; It is well spec'ed as well, but there were a couple of modifications I made to make it my own. First and foremost was the Brooks B-17 and that precipitated the move to the Paul Components seat post made especially for users of Brooks saddles.<br /><br />Other than that, it has solved all my issues with the old Xtracycled Schwinn and does what I need it to do so well it is silly. I am very glad I picked this up and it has become a very practical bike for me over the past several months I've had it qualifying it as a "Bike of 2016" for me. http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/bikes-of-2016-surly-big-dummy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-568963127117920792Mon, 05 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-05T01:30:01.367-05:00fun ridegravel grinderOdin's RevengeA Lament For Odin's Revenge<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2A7K5D6Zkc/WER_xEEjLYI/AAAAAAAAlGI/oDf446UbaJQte2J-LE1F3N6DxalzVirqACLcB/s1600/Odins_XT1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2A7K5D6Zkc/WER_xEEjLYI/AAAAAAAAlGI/oDf446UbaJQte2J-LE1F3N6DxalzVirqACLcB/s320/Odins_XT1055.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, Tough, Fun. Odin's Revenge was all of that. Image by W. Kilburg</td></tr></tbody></table>I think it must have been 2012 or so when I heard some stories about Odin's Revenge, a gravel grinder event out in West Central Nebraska. As I recall, it was Mike Johnson, a local rider, who was talking about his experiences out there and that it was a "must do" gravel road event.<br /><br />I had been out to the area back in '09 to scope out what was to be the failed and final attempt at a bicycle festival dubbed "<i>The Big Wheeled Ballyhoo</i>". I found out back then that Nebraska was actually really hilly and absolutely gorgeous. Any excuse to go back was going to be met with a positive response. Well, lucky for me, the Odin's Revenge gravel grinder was cooked up, and I decided after hearing what Mike had to say, I was going to head out that way and give it a go.<br /><br />Now, I'm not going to go into all the details of the event. Heck, all you have to do is go back in the blog here to any June from 2013,'14' or '15 and read the reports on this event. There you will read all you need to know. Odin's was my one of my favorite events of the year, one I would not miss, (except this year due to my Mom's surprise 75th birthday party), and was probably second in line to the Renegade Gent's Race in terms of my all-time most favorite event to ride in. I was planning on going back next Summer for sure, but the organizers have called it quits for now.<br /><br />Bummer!<br /><br />But, at least I got to ride it three times. I've never managed to finish that event, and now it looks like Odin's will have "his revenge" forever upon me, but man! It doesn't matter to me, really. I am just so glad I got to ride Odin's Revenge at all. So, I decided that I would share some images and memories they stir in this post.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wbH18l2jAA/WESFyrsi1II/AAAAAAAAlGU/Mg5kJUWbfRcXc694bX_JRrrcPBBe1b0gwCLcB/s1600/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wbH18l2jAA/WESFyrsi1II/AAAAAAAAlGU/Mg5kJUWbfRcXc694bX_JRrrcPBBe1b0gwCLcB/s640/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roads in this area of Nebraska are breath taking and brutal. That's Craig Groseth on a single speed in the image. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UeYFkt3mmQw/WESGK9f1wkI/AAAAAAAAlGY/wfq3qqXxCZUIbEz1oZ-RPAiL-hwgp5NoACLcB/s1600/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UeYFkt3mmQw/WESGK9f1wkI/AAAAAAAAlGY/wfq3qqXxCZUIbEz1oZ-RPAiL-hwgp5NoACLcB/s640/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another crazy road. That's Craig again, I am pretty sure.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yYb-Zl4Y_pU/WESGWerrxwI/AAAAAAAAlGc/cKW0Kv0rEpohk0CFkEFwT3iWfYnKhKlEwCLcB/s1600/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yYb-Zl4Y_pU/WESGWerrxwI/AAAAAAAAlGc/cKW0Kv0rEpohk0CFkEFwT3iWfYnKhKlEwCLcB/s320/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B073.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>One of the unique elements of Odin's Revenge is the roads. I've never been on roads like this anywhere else. There is outright gravel there, but the unmaintained roads are the real stars of the course. If anyone has ridden an Odin's Revenge, all you have to say is "Government Pocket Road" and nothing else. The eyes and expressions shared would be all the communication that would be necessary to understand. It's just a crazy, rutted, dusty, sometimes muddy twisted course of dirt roads out there that amaze, challenge, and more often than not, brutalize those riders that take them on.<br /><br />Then there was the element of where the event was held. Gothenburg Nebraska is situated far enough West that it drew riders from the Colorado and Black Hills areas. That is why I met several folks I am so glad to have met. I doubt I would have ever become friendly with any of those people had Odin's Revenge not existed. People like Craig Groseth, whom I met at my first Odin's Revenge, and who I hope to ride with again some day. Craig was just crushing it on a single speed, and he is an amazing rider. Just one example of many folks I met out there in Nebraska in the middle of no-where.<br /><br />And of course, there are the organizers and volunteers of Odin's. The "DSG" group. The main folks were Chad, his wife Merrie, Matt, Bob, Nate, Paul, Kyle, and Garrett. Thanks to these people, their hours of work, their care, and their dedication, Odin's was a great experience. The core group kept that event fun, tough, basic, and one of the best run grassroots gravel events that I am aware of. That was no small feat either. How they kept a balance of sponsorship, down to earth feel, and honest, heartfelt care for everyone that came to ride is beyond me. The experiences I had were second to none.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw5krblIgRY/WESME-WnUFI/AAAAAAAAlGo/cfneamp7ogQhco-2ajpbhleTMiqxjs8wQCLcB/s1600/ODINS%2BREVENGE%2B2014%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw5krblIgRY/WESME-WnUFI/AAAAAAAAlGo/cfneamp7ogQhco-2ajpbhleTMiqxjs8wQCLcB/s640/ODINS%2BREVENGE%2B2014%2B011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Chad on the table, the "Odin" of Odin's Revenge. This was the pre-race meeting in '14.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxvS4ox4Wsc/WESMdCJJZcI/AAAAAAAAlGs/qA-ivYXMzoYOg1LV4wb5zAe0x_J1YXMLACLcB/s1600/ODINS%2BREVENGE%2BGT%2B2%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxvS4ox4Wsc/WESMdCJJZcI/AAAAAAAAlGs/qA-ivYXMzoYOg1LV4wb5zAe0x_J1YXMLACLcB/s640/ODINS%2BREVENGE%2BGT%2B2%2B2014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrie, Chad's wife, checking me in to CP#1 in the '14 Odin's event. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nr4Byl2q3is/WESMzjAQ0TI/AAAAAAAAlGw/doRPIEScttg3xpRJWnctfFMQoCKnQV7fwCLcB/s1600/P1060438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nr4Byl2q3is/WESMzjAQ0TI/AAAAAAAAlGw/doRPIEScttg3xpRJWnctfFMQoCKnQV7fwCLcB/s640/P1060438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul playing the hammered dulcimer. Yes, you even got serenaded at Odin's pre-race gathering! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6975Sv_rm0/WESNGx73TmI/AAAAAAAAlG0/i2-D5_FuQkEHtFIQZ4S0wqSp-mfGEKS4gCLcB/s1600/TREE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6975Sv_rm0/WESNGx73TmI/AAAAAAAAlG0/i2-D5_FuQkEHtFIQZ4S0wqSp-mfGEKS4gCLcB/s320/TREE.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My resting place after another "vision quest" at Odin's in 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Like I said, I never finished an Odin's. I twice&nbsp; got about a 100 miles in and wilted. The other time it was the toughest 47 miles I had ever ridden. That was the "muddy" year. Along the way, I had what one of my gravel riding acquaintances would call a "vision quest".&nbsp; Well, every time I rode Odin's, I had a pretty intense experience. I have a distinct memory of each time I rode an Odin's of where this happened.<br /><br />Like the first Odin's Revenge where I got so overheated I stripped down to my birthday suit and laid in the cool grass several yards off the course in a secluded grove of trees. I got the job done, cooled down the core, and continued onward. There were probably two other times I was really on the edge at that first one too. Sitting at Potter's was a Godsend and that running water from the hose. Heaven!<br /><br />There was the time I had to bail out early at Mile 47 and ride back to Gothenburg. On the way there, I was falling asleep on the bike, so I stopped and rested under a huge shade tree in a pasture. Or the last Odin's, where I was so bonked out and overheated that I saw fog when I looked around me and there was none. Odin's may have been a ton of fun and good times, but maybe it also damn near killed me. I'm not sure.<br /><br />I guess it was a combination of the terrain, the heat, and my understanding of myself, or lack of, I should say. That's another thing I owe to Odin's Revenge- I learned an awful lot about myself and also how I needed to prepare and how I dealt with heat. I learned what to eat and keep myself fueled. The lessons gained from Odin's were used in my finish at the Gravel Worlds this past Summer. Had I not tested myself so severely, I likely would never have gotten to that finish line at all.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n05xB8gveAk/WES9UIOM3jI/AAAAAAAAlHA/9qmu99OzWPAoUPOQ42a9lUWsqVyjEkWNwCLcB/s1600/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n05xB8gveAk/WES9UIOM3jI/AAAAAAAAlHA/9qmu99OzWPAoUPOQ42a9lUWsqVyjEkWNwCLcB/s640/Odins%2BRevenge%2B13%2B064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Wills grinds up a long hill on his single speed Soulcraft in the '13 Odin's. Probably my favorite shot I've taken at any gravel event.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So, I am so glad I even got to ride in one Odin's Revenge, let alone three. The people, the place, and the experiences are something I will treasure forever. Thanks DSG and anyone ever associated with Odin's Revenge.<br /><br />There may never be another Odin's Revenge, but I will go back there to ride again someday......http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-lament-for-odins-revenge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-989595935203101705Sun, 04 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-07T08:26:59.314-05:00Big DummyBig Fat Dummycargo bikesfat bikeSurlyBig Fat Dummy: Are You Kidding Me!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5tT8DUBbXA/WELybF5PG6I/AAAAAAAAlFI/eg14Kt9wnrgUrx8BqJKaxdkAtoXPwplAQCLcB/s1600/SURLY_BIG_FAT_DUMMY_ELEVATION_PIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5tT8DUBbXA/WELybF5PG6I/AAAAAAAAlFI/eg14Kt9wnrgUrx8BqJKaxdkAtoXPwplAQCLcB/s320/SURLY_BIG_FAT_DUMMY_ELEVATION_PIC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally! They went and did THIS!</td></tr></tbody></table>Surly Bikes is a weird company. I am not sure that the originators of the company back in the late 90's quite envisioned this, but they set the course for the company by offering a bike no one else would in the mainstream industry and decided not to fundamentally change it or phase it out. The Surly 1X1 frame and fork still, after 18 years, is available. It has been updated, but fundamentally, it is the same bike.<br /><br />Surly has remained that company for the most part. They do not cotton to "model years". They change spec and colors whenever they flow with their supply chain. (Much to the chagrin, at times, to their fan base.) They update features when it makes sense to do that. But more importantly, they make stuff when the mainstream bike companies won't consider doing that. Still.<br /><br />The Big Dummy cargo bike is such a rig. Fisher took a stab at the cargo bike, and Kona offers one, but neither did it before Surly did it. Now look what they did...... <i>They made it a fat bike too. </i>Don't hold your breath for a Trek or Specialized version of this to come out. And maybe that's for the best.<br /><br />For all the super-nerdy details on this rig, <a href="http://surlybikes.com/blog/post/introducing_big_fat_dummy"><span style="color: blue;">see Surly's blog post here</span></a>. Get ready to burn a half an hour.......<i>or more.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCkngMwwQ8c/WEL3gkOq1RI/AAAAAAAAlFY/JBY5dBdzcf8_6ITDzxWSiTyPkVAQZE_SACLcB/s1600/BIG%2BFAT%2BDUMMY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCkngMwwQ8c/WEL3gkOq1RI/AAAAAAAAlFY/JBY5dBdzcf8_6ITDzxWSiTyPkVAQZE_SACLcB/s320/BIG%2BFAT%2BDUMMY.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of the activity you might get involved in by exposing yourself to a Big Fat Dummy</td></tr></tbody></table><i>&nbsp;</i>If you've read this blog for a while you know I just got a Big Dummy. I really, <i>really </i>like it, and I will admit that I've been looking at how I could maybe squeeze something bigger inside that frame for tires. I have quietly thought for several years that a Big Fat Dummy would make perfect sense, and said so to then Surly Marketing wonk Travis. In fact, he owned a Big Fat Dummy with 3.0" Knards stuffed in, barely, and agreed that the Big Fat Dummy would be rad. I wouldn't at all be surprised that the project was kicked off at around that time. I bet I wasn't the only one saying they should make one.<br /><br />Well, however that worked out, they did it. The bike everyone that owned a fat bike and a Big Dummy had thought about. A steel, fat tire capable cargo bike. It takes the biggest fat tires out there now, if you are willing to compromise on drive train range a bit. It can handle up to a 100mm suspension device up front. It has a completely new, better frame than the current Big Dummy has. Stiffer, more capable to ride over stuff. It can even handle 29+ tires and wheels. <i>It is even dropper post compatible.</i> Don't laugh. If you've ever tried to mount a fully loaded Big Dummy, a dropper post makes a ton of sense. Call it a <i>parking setting post. </i>Then it maybe it becomes more clear as to why that might be.<br /><br />So, I have a Big Dummy. Would I get one of these?<br /><br />Having never ridden this beast, here's my reaction to the thing at this point in light of my experiences with the Big Dummy.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDeS_w-ZMBc/WEL7MlB405I/AAAAAAAAlFk/t3UL4nclc4cfKdJyn7K-uk1VllYUWhmUACLcB/s1600/P9270002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDeS_w-ZMBc/WEL7MlB405I/AAAAAAAAlFk/t3UL4nclc4cfKdJyn7K-uk1VllYUWhmUACLcB/s320/P9270002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my Big Dummy</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Well, <i>if I hadn't purchased this Big Dummy that I have now, </i>yes- I would definitely get the Big Fat Dummy, and here is why:<br /><ul><li>Totally redesigned frame which is stiffer, has through axles, and new geometry for easier roll over of curbs, etc.</li><li>Suspension fork compatibility. I have Bluto fat bike suspension fork which would be perfect on this bike.</li><li>Fat tire capability. I would have a Winter set of tires and a Summer, smoother treaded set.&nbsp;</li><li>Tubeless rims. Natch.</li><li>Dropper post compatibility. A brilliant idea for this bike. They are not just for drop offs and gnarly terrain.&nbsp;</li></ul>So, am I trading in my old Big Dummy for this? Not likely. I still really want a Big Fat Dummy, but I don't really <i>need to get one. </i>Mine is lighter than this new one (The BFD weighs 54lbs in size medium), I can do 95% of what I need a cargo bike to do with this current Big Dummy, (Winter performance yet to be determined), and my current Big Dummy is stiff enough for my needs.<br /><br />The new Big Fat Dummy would increase my capabilities a touch, but at the price of $2950.00USD it would also cost me a lot more.Value gained per dollars spent would be minimal in my case, but for anyone that isn't in to a fat bike and needs a lifestyle/car replacement bicycle, this would be on top of my list.<br /><br /><b>Okay- Now it is speculation time: </b>Sometimes you can glean little nuggets from press releases and historical performances of certain companies. Surly is no different in this regard.<br /><br />Surly mention the following in their blog post about the tire capabilities of the Surly Big Fat Dummy: "<i>Like stated earlier, you are good to go up to 26x5.25” in the Big Fat Dummy."&nbsp;</i><br /><br />Wait...... <i>No one makes a fat bike tire in that size. </i>Yet.<br /><i> </i><br /><i>Let's say Surly has a bigger, badder fat bike tire up their sleeve. </i>Wait....... <i>They don't make a bicycle that can fit that big of a tire. </i>Yet.<br /><br />Hmm..... <i>Maybe there is something else I could really use coming up........ </i><br /><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/big-fat-dummy-are-you-kidding-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-8187090744479458221Sat, 03 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-03T01:30:46.292-05:00Minus Ten ReviewTrans Iowa V3Minus Ten Review- 48<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGY-lG8QZtg/WEHq9wXw-lI/AAAAAAAAlEw/xe_VFmTtNmwRey2dfZlZ7BTnHh-DuvV5ACLcB/s1600/transiowareconIII%2B017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGY-lG8QZtg/WEHq9wXw-lI/AAAAAAAAlEw/xe_VFmTtNmwRey2dfZlZ7BTnHh-DuvV5ACLcB/s320/transiowareconIII%2B017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the first T.I.v3 cards we received during that Trans Iowa's registration</td></tr></tbody></table>Ten years ago on the blog the talk was about Trans Iowa v3.The registration had been announced and we were starting to receive our very first Trans Iowa post card entries. That's right.....<i>our very first Trans Iowa post cards.&nbsp;</i><br /><br />You see, Trans Iowa did online registration for the first two versions. Then we <i>regressed! </i>We decided to make it even more simple, and we also decided that we were going to be a free to enter event. The insurance costs, which is what the entry fee used to cover,was becoming just too much for our minds to charge riders. Besides, post cards were, and are, more fun to get. So, that is what we did and 2006 marked the first Trans Iowa post card entry receptions.<br /><i> </i><br />We went backward and never looked ahead! Trans Iowa seemed to spawn other "post card" entry events after this. Even now, when I see things like the Almanzo 100, I grin because post card entry action was pretty much instigated by Trans Iowa. At least in the gravel grinder category. Some events used to use post cards, but ended up going to online registrations, which is cool, but Trans Iowa will never do online registration again.<br /><br />Someday I'll have to display my favorites, but after 13 versions, it gets hard to choose!http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/minus-ten-review-48.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-2719355578833561030Fri, 02 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-02T06:54:58.978-05:00Global Fat Bike DayRiding GravelSpotted HorseTrans IowaFriday News And Views<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evDhYQd0gps/WEC2I8qgLlI/AAAAAAAAlEA/GQBk1ITZsesDtPlenl5Lqcbzlv8XdexfACLcB/s1600/riding_gravel_jersey-01_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evDhYQd0gps/WEC2I8qgLlI/AAAAAAAAlEA/GQBk1ITZsesDtPlenl5Lqcbzlv8XdexfACLcB/s320/riding_gravel_jersey-01_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which color would you get?</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Anniversary Time And A Jersey Announcement:</b><br /><br />An anniversary was reached yesterday for me. Two years have passed now since I aligned with Ben Welnak and <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">RidingGravel.com</span></a><b>. </b>Well, at least <i>officially. </i>We had been collaborating on certain things before that, but the melding of the old <i>Gravel Grinder News</i> with <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">RidingGravel.com</span></a> was not announced until December 1st, 2014.<br /><b> </b><br />Now we have often spoken with each other, Ben and I, about doing a jersey for Riding Gravel. I figured as long as I was riding in events I should be repping the company, ya know? So, it went from a casually mentioned thing to full on project status recently. I am happy to report that now it is actually going to happen, and I will have a "team" jersey for the events I ride in next year. The only question remaining now is what color I will be wearing.<br /><b></b><br />By the way, it is possible to get one of these or yourself, and there will be an opportunity to do just that, to be announced later. Stay tuned for that. However; for now, if you would actually order one of these, <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/apparel/ridinggravel-com-offer-jersey-2017/"><span style="color: blue;">you need to help choose which colorway we will go with</span></a>. Hit me up in the comments here, or click that link and take the survey and let me know. Once a color has been chosen, finer details on how to order one for yourself will be released here and elsewhere on the RG site and social media.<br /><br />Whichever color gets chosen is good with me, but I do have a personal favorite, which I will talk about after a color has been chosen. Stay tuned for that and the finer details on the process of getting these out to be announced soon. Oh, and thanks for taking the time to weigh in on this. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrIYSQDxQrM/WEDFZXSltWI/AAAAAAAAlEQ/UaXOfKGV7GUPPxG_IUQ7BO6ZJT082R-YwCLcB/s1600/PB300009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrIYSQDxQrM/WEDFZXSltWI/AAAAAAAAlEQ/UaXOfKGV7GUPPxG_IUQ7BO6ZJT082R-YwCLcB/s320/PB300009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Global Fat Bike Day is tomorrow</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Global Fat Bike Day:</b><br /><br />Saturday is the so-called "Global Fat Bike Day". Hmm...... I may or may not participate. It just so happens that this <i>always </i>falls on the opening day of shotgun season for deer hunting. Not a good day to be traipsing about the woods out in the country, and probably not a good day to ride the gravel roads. You never know where those slugs are flying.<br /><b> </b><br />That leaves running around in the Green Belt as my best option here.<i> Meh. </i>I'm not really all that excited about riding a fat bike <i>just because it is a certain day.&nbsp; </i>Maybe I will, but maybe I'll do something else.<br /><b></b><br />In fact, I think I should be taking care of <a href="http://www.transiowa.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Trans Iowa</span></a> recon. That first section needs to be looked at. Yes...... <i>I may have to deal with hunting, </i>but hopefully the "<i>Truck With No Name</i>" won't be mistaken for a deer as much as a cyclist would be. Besides, it is supposed to snow next week and when the roads get snowed in I may as well wait till Spring, and I'd rather not have to do that.<br /><br />Then again, I may not do either. We will see. Global or not, I'm sure a throng will be riding locally, at the State level, and nationally here and there. Hopefully they all have a good time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVhZWfs9KSs/WEDiAs3coTI/AAAAAAAAlEg/_INvGM5ML7IKmadgTRx1xmik0b_ZqulkQCLcB/s1600/DSCN0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVhZWfs9KSs/WEDiAs3coTI/AAAAAAAAlEg/_INvGM5ML7IKmadgTRx1xmik0b_ZqulkQCLcB/s320/DSCN0479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>Spotted Horse Is On:</b><br /><br />In my "<i>Planning Ahead" </i>post on Wednesday I mentioned one of the events I was interested in was the <a href="https://spottedhorsecycling.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Spotted Horse Gravel Ultra</span></a>. I mentioned that this was an iffy commitment, not in small part due to the fact that I knew at the time that it may not even be held again.<br /><b> </b><br />Well, lo and behold, yesterday I see that the date for 2017 was announced, so it is actually being planned to occur again in October of 2017. Pencil in the 7th for this long, arduous 200 miler.<br /><b></b><br />So, I have that on as a solid commitment this time. I mentioned that I had signed up for it this year but the Fargo Reunion Ride happened and I <i>had to go do that. </i>I am very glad that I did, but I also really want to give the Spotted Horse a go, so seeing that they committed to doing it again, I am going to commit to going to do it. There's another chance to fly the<a href="http://www.ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: blue;"> RidingGravel.com</span></a> colors that I mentioned above!<br /><br />All right folks, that's a wrap for this week. If you go do the Global Fat Bike thing, have fun and stay safe! Otherwise, get out there and don't get shot by a deer hunter! http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/friday-news-and-views.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-3418541017483472848Thu, 01 Dec 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-12-01T01:30:25.445-05:00Blackborow DSfat bikefun rideGreen Beltmudsingle trackSlow Rollin'<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-do6U6pG8osY/WD-mXFC3m3I/AAAAAAAAlCs/hd4md3YbbnwjjFUxPJ0PYfBPw5a3W2iggCLcB/s1600/PB300011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-do6U6pG8osY/WD-mXFC3m3I/AAAAAAAAlCs/hd4md3YbbnwjjFUxPJ0PYfBPw5a3W2iggCLcB/s320/PB300011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity on Marky-Mark</td></tr></tbody></table>Another Wednesday, another bike ride. This time it was the Blackborow DS and I actually managed to get all of the Green Belt done. It was a slow rollin' affair though. I wasn't speeding through because it was wet and mucky, and I didn't bring my rain pants, or a fender.<br /><br />So going slower was the order of the day, and I managed to keep pretty clean until the very end when I biffed trying to cross that ditch. Oh well!<br /><br />I had fun and even met a fellow fat biker along the way. It was a colder ride, with temperatures in the mid to upper 30's for the entire ride. Precipitation was copious and in about every form one could imagine, mostly of the frozen types. At one point I am pretty sure I was walloped on the back of the hand by a chunk of slush. Maybe that fell off a tree as I went underneath it, or maybe it was flung down from the heavens, I don't know which.<br /><br />The constant precipitation was making the trails constantly more wet, more mucky, and muddy. It never got real sloppy, but there was plenty of standing water and tacky dirt to just outright mud on the single track. I'm okay with that. I had time and a steady fat burn of a ride is just what the doctor ordered after Thanksgiving weekend.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHWj9TlYpx8/WD-oMA8eCfI/AAAAAAAAlC4/UBX1Z1y0ztM1Z3M5yqgQGZ_UEyB_p3zSwCLcB/s1600/PB300012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHWj9TlYpx8/WD-oMA8eCfI/AAAAAAAAlC4/UBX1Z1y0ztM1Z3M5yqgQGZ_UEyB_p3zSwCLcB/s640/PB300012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss on the bridge.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRZEZDU1EbU/WD-oYdRnySI/AAAAAAAAlC8/otJm0orWcoIMsop4aGxPadaIp_e7VAG0QCLcB/s1600/PB300015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRZEZDU1EbU/WD-oYdRnySI/AAAAAAAAlC8/otJm0orWcoIMsop4aGxPadaIp_e7VAG0QCLcB/s640/PB300015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hawk creek on a dreary, rainy last day of November 2016.</td></tr></tbody></table>There was a fat bike ride the night before on these trails. Seems as though it will be a weekly thing for a little while until they get their trails sorted over across town after the flooding this past Fall. I don't mind the extra traffic, but I did notice one thing that kind of irritated me and a thing I also find quite ironic. That would be the "lensing" of the trail wherever there was standing water. This is an old term used to describe what happens when riders tend to avoid water on the trail by riding around the puddles, causing a "lens" or widening of the tread.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a95QnTAMR4w/WD-rJBchFPI/AAAAAAAAlDM/erv1xz5p1GwxxNlc4btBEEqtnN9toimtgCLcB/s1600/PB300017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a95QnTAMR4w/WD-rJBchFPI/AAAAAAAAlDM/erv1xz5p1GwxxNlc4btBEEqtnN9toimtgCLcB/s640/PB300017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original trail directly behind my bike, the bandit line is to the left here. </td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; I chose this example above since it dramatically shows what I mean, but typically this is a much more subtle deal. In fact, in the example above, I don't mind the bandit line as it actually adds to the trail feature and isn't a textbook "lensing" of the trail, per se', but there are a lot of places out there where this has popped up now since the trail is getting a lot of usage during this wet period.<br /><br />Anyway, what a lot of younger off roaders do not understand is that the tread, or the single track line, is actually a harder bottom than where you ride around the water puddles. Riding around the puddles erodes more land, detracts from the aesthetic appeal of the trail when things dry up, and actually ends up getting you more dirty than if you just rode straight through the water. But the biggest deal to me is that it widens out the tread and the single track becomes "<i>not single track</i>" every where there is water.<br /><br />Keep Single Track Single Please!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAKzJYcGiFk/WD-tITWJ0FI/AAAAAAAAlDY/k1OjopfIFtgoGGIQA2OGcoxABOI8QUfIwCLcB/s1600/PB300016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAKzJYcGiFk/WD-tITWJ0FI/AAAAAAAAlDY/k1OjopfIFtgoGGIQA2OGcoxABOI8QUfIwCLcB/s640/PB300016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge Troll</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;The ironic thing is that these folks supposedly were doing a fat bike ride and were avoiding doing "fat biking". I mean, <i>it is why you got the thing, isn't it? </i>To go through the mud, water, sand, snow, and rocks? It isn't a road bike, fer cryin' out loud! A little water on the trail is not to be avoided, it is to be celebrated and ridden through. Heck, if you are that afraid of getting you and your bike wet, slow down, take it easy, and grin all the way through. If that doesn't work, <i>why are you even riding off road?&nbsp;</i><br /><br />Well, whatever. I am not going to be afraid to do a little swampin' out in the Green Belt, and I will be doing my part to Keep The Single Track Single.&nbsp;<i> </i><br /><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/12/slow-rollin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-8393739078581766053Wed, 30 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-30T01:30:34.557-05:00Almanzo 100Dirty Kanza 200Geezer RideGravel World ChampionshipsGTDRIGuitar Ted Death RideOdin's RevengeRenegade Gentleman's RaceSpotted HorseTrans Iowa v13Planning Ahead<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqGgstKWlf8/WD4QQrI0mXI/AAAAAAAAlB4/Y7cNbkOWgxs3jlxW5trRNHlGKApWYa9YgCEw/s1600/Odins_XT1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqGgstKWlf8/WD4QQrI0mXI/AAAAAAAAlB4/Y7cNbkOWgxs3jlxW5trRNHlGKApWYa9YgCEw/s320/Odins_XT1019.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So where will I be riding in 2017? Image by W. Kilburg</td></tr></tbody></table>With one month to go in 2016 I am starting to piece together a plan for 2017 rides. This will be a bit of a different look than in years past due to my business with <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: purple;">RidingGravel.com</span></a>, whose livery I will be sporting for 2017. (More on that later this December, hopefully.)<br /><br />First off, I've been asked about fat bike racing and I am not going to enter any of those. They (mostly) are like XC mountain bike racing, which I also don't care for myself. It just doesn't do anything for me to do a circuit race. That's not interesting at all to me, but for those of&nbsp; you who dig it, by all means..... Go for it. I'd rather do big mileage events that keep me engaged over a full day of riding that allows me to immerse myself in a place. Yes.....<i>there are fat bike races like this. </i>But I am not doing any fat bike racing this year, so there. Maybe next Winter.<br /><br />So, that leaves gravel racing, and I am pretty sure my first solid commitment in 2017 is to doing the Renegade Gents Race on the first weekend in April. I may find something earlier than this, but I will play that by ear. I'm keeping options open there. No......<i>not <a href="http://www.cirrem.com/"><span style="color: blue;">CIRREM</span></a>. </i>That is filled up already, and I have done that race once as well.<br /><br />Then comes a period where I will be pretty tied up being a supporter or running an event or two. <a href="http://www.transiowa.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Trans Iowa v13</span></a>, of course, and probably a <a href="http://geezerridegravel.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Geezer Ride</span></a> which will fulfill the director side. Then I will also be supporting at <a href="http://www.almanzo100.bike/"><span style="color: blue;">Almanzo 100</span></a> and at the <a href="http://www.dirtykanza200.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Dirty Kanza 200</span></a>.That takes me up to June.<br /><br />June will hopefully be focused upon doing <a href="http://odinsrevenge.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Odin's Revenge</span></a> again. I had to bail on Odin's last Summer due to a family gathering I couldn't miss. So, this time I am hoping to be able to make it out there again. It is one event I really would like to complete. So that will be high on my agenda for sure.&nbsp; This year really helped with figuring out a lot for my hot weather riding plan. Since Odin's is usually a pretty blazing hot deal, that should go a long way in helping me conquer this crazy event.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdnL5_1NVv8/WD4WYKKCpiI/AAAAAAAAlCI/lXcDYvFW9KQvHaaKffWJEBgy1GbLLf3YQCLcB/s1600/P7300094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdnL5_1NVv8/WD4WYKKCpiI/AAAAAAAAlCI/lXcDYvFW9KQvHaaKffWJEBgy1GbLLf3YQCLcB/s320/P7300094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GTDRI time is usually in July</td></tr></tbody></table>July will bring another <a href="http://www.gtdri.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational</span></a>. I will have to decide upon a venue for this one, but I have had my eye on a certain section of the country for a while that I'd like to check out.<br /><br />I probably won't do 150 miles, but I'll plan on 100 plus miles for sure. Wherever I decide to do the ride will eventually be the biggest factor in figuring out how far we'll ride that day. I'm not locked in to one certain place, I just have an idea. That could change, so stay tuned.<br /><br />August is <a href="http://www.gravel-worlds.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Gravel Worlds</span></a>. I probably will go do this again. Either in a supportive role or as a rider, I haven't decided yet. But one way or the other, I feel this will be a solid for the schedule next year. After that, I am leaving things wide open. I have penciled in the <a href="https://spottedhorsecycling.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Spotted Horse Gravel Ultra</span></a>, but that event isn't a done deal for '17, and that is a long way off.<br /><br />The rest is open for discussion. I am keeping Fall pretty open for anything. Otherwise, this is my plan going into 2017. Feel free to convince me to try something else out there in terms of gravel events. I'm all ears, but if it is during Spring, I probably will be too busy already.<br /><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/planning-ahead.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-8476234468473315353Tue, 29 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-29T01:30:29.577-05:00Barry-Roubaixfungravel grinderParis-Roubaixpro road cyclingTrans IowaPro "Un-Road" Racing: Old Is New Again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21KEhRiLulE/WDy_w5FBKwI/AAAAAAAAlBE/kjMRnm0rMiszxyH5sAXjdRzVOfGZwfKRACLcB/s1600/P5290057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21KEhRiLulE/WDy_w5FBKwI/AAAAAAAAlBE/kjMRnm0rMiszxyH5sAXjdRzVOfGZwfKRACLcB/s320/P5290057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man vs Nature: DK200 2015- Is this what Pro Road Racing should be?</td></tr></tbody></table>The gravel racing genre has been what I have lived and breathed now for more than a decade. I often get asked why folks have tend to gravitate toward this sort of bicycling. I can think of a lot of reasons that it has been a growing genre of cycling. Many things are exciting about this type of riding. But what is it exactly? <br /><br />Why has gravel racing become so popular?&nbsp; I think if we look at the obvious, the biggest reason it has become the fastest growing form of bicycle racing is that it pits "man" against "nature" in a way that is exciting, attractive, and touches our innermost visceral core. Here is why......<br /><br />I can pretty much sum it all up with one name: <i>Roubaix. </i>Of course, I refer to the seminal classic of Spring that road racers take on in Northern France. Oft called <i>"The Hell of the North", </i>Paris-Roubaix's name is the most often copied or referred to moniker for gravel road racing in the USA. Consider that "Barry-Roubaix" is the most popular gravel road event in North America. Or consider that there are at least 15 other gravel road based events in North America that currently use the word "<i>roubaix</i>" in their name. That's not even counting events that refer to the classic Euro event in their race descriptions or other race names that emulate the event without using <i>"roubaix</i>". Why? Why is it that this European clasic road event is so revered and emulated?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qhybj7amYg/WDzKh7K5q3I/AAAAAAAAlBY/HU8mQNBarsEBU6S8OxVRXKdP73HRY95-ACLcB/s1600/jasonboucher_transiowav11_bw-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qhybj7amYg/WDzKh7K5q3I/AAAAAAAAlBY/HU8mQNBarsEBU6S8OxVRXKdP73HRY95-ACLcB/s320/jasonboucher_transiowav11_bw-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grit, determination, fortitude against all odds. That's what we want to see. Image by Jason Boucher.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Well, think about Paris-Roubaix and what image that immediately conjures up. Likely it is one of a mud covered face on a road bike traveling over cruel stones. We are drawn to such displays of the human spirit overcoming Nature's worst and the primitive roads and slots cut through the countryside. All those "sanitized" road races that happen the rest of the year seem somewhat<i> less</i> in comparison.<br /><br />In fact, I believe that this is one reason why cyclo-cross has become such a popular sport. You all know that the cyclo-cross races we still talk about, the best ones, are contested in truly awful conditions. No one recalls that sunny day in dry weather when the grass was green and everyone was as clean at the start as they were at the end. Ho hum.......<br /><br />Not many years ago, Pro Road racing took to the gravel again, if only in small bites, in an event called the Strade Bianche. It became an instant hit. With the sagging popularity of road racing in North America and in Europe, an event that strikes a cord like the Strade Bianche raises some eyebrows. So seeing that and working on revitalizing a declining event, organizers of <i>Schaal Sels, </i>an event in Belgium, went to the dirt. (<a href="http://www.velonews.com/2016/11/news/dirt-road-races-find-traction-europe_425301"><span style="color: blue;">Read about it all here</span></a>) The event, once on the verge of anonymity, has become the shining example of a revitalized race and interest in dirt and gravel racing seems to be on the rise in Europe as well. Again, it seems that the primal attraction to dicing it up on dodgy roads is the main appeal.<br /><br /><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><i>“You don’t know what’s going to hit you next — but to be honest you can’t wait because it’s exciting and it’s just plain fun,” Dan Craven (Cycling Academy)</i><span>- from an Instagram post after the 2016 event. (Via <i>Velo News <a href="http://www.velonews.com/2016/11/news/dirt-road-races-find-traction-europe_425301"><span style="color: blue;">online story here</span></a>. </i>)</span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span>&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TunGxwOTwMs/WDzor26LqbI/AAAAAAAAlBo/Ki_CKhfJz8UtoQGL8vvX4IuaTDzeDFucwCLcB/s1600/transiowa2010-2%2B023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TunGxwOTwMs/WDzor26LqbI/AAAAAAAAlBo/Ki_CKhfJz8UtoQGL8vvX4IuaTDzeDFucwCLcB/s320/transiowa2010-2%2B023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span>I think this is what riders want to ride and what we as spectators of the world's greatest cyclists would want to see. Riders riding in Paris-Roubaix type events more often. Events that have dirt, gravel, stones, or what ever types of road ways we can ride on. That's what the US gravel/back roads scene is all about. The crazier the conditions, the better, it seems.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span><br />&nbsp;At any rate, it would seem that the Pro Road scene is finally picking up on what it left behind those many decades ago. It is rediscovering what made cycling great to begin with. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLcTcMud3Pg&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;__FB_"><span style="color: blue;">Even Ghent-Wevelgem is getting in on the action</span></a>.&nbsp; It sure isn't what we have gotten lately that is making people take notice. We have gotten team cars, totally pampered and prepped Pro Road racers, over-blown budgets, and doping in the last three decades. What really gets us to take notice?</span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span><br /></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span>A muddy Paris-Roubaix, some white gravel sections in one Italian based event, an obscure Belgian race that has taken its course out to the farm roads, and Froome running down a mountain road. That's about the extent of the highlights.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span><br /></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span>When all we have to talk about is Peter Sagan riding wheelies and how he wears his hair, there is a big problem. We need dirt, dust, grit, and grime pitted against steely eyed riders on two wheels who are self supported and maybe a good ol' rain storm thrown in for good measure. That would make for some drama. That would be inspirational. I mean, how many bunch sprints or mountain top finishes do we have to endure? Everything else is fodder for the dust bin.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span><br /></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span>That's why we ride these gravel events. It is an adventure, it makes us stretch ourselves, and sometimes parts and bodies don't hold up. But that's all part of the fun. Just like the quote from the <i>Velo News </i>story above. We cannot wait to see what's next because it is exciting and fun.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span><br /></span></div><div class="pw-hidden-cp"><span>I think it is high time we saw some fun and excitement like that in Pro Road Racing, but who knows......Maybe we'll see that happen. But...... <i>I ain't holding my breath, </i>I'll tell ya that much.</span></div><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/pro-un-road-racing-old-is-new-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-4229126164354351581Mon, 28 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-30T08:21:17.983-05:00Bikes of 2016Black Mountain Cyclesgravel grinderMonster CrossOrange CrushBikes Of 2016: Black Mountain Cycles "Monster Cross"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9baHPIeX-8/WDtytFX4JYI/AAAAAAAAlAg/UvSUnF7Vy64p9s3kn2faxx536ohfNX7hwCLcB/s1600/PB260007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9baHPIeX-8/WDtytFX4JYI/AAAAAAAAlAg/UvSUnF7Vy64p9s3kn2faxx536ohfNX7hwCLcB/s320/PB260007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes..........<i>that bike again!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i>The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed.</i><br /><br />I know.......<i>that bike again! </i>But I really do use it a lot, and of course, I really like it a lot. The <a href="http://blackmtncycles.com/frames/cross-frames/"><span style="color: blue;">Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross </span></a>frame and fork is Mike Varley's best selling bike.&nbsp;<i> </i>Well, that's what I read on his site, at any rate. That's fairly surprising when you think about a cantilever brake standard, quick release type frame in 2016. It seems like a throwback frame and fork.<br /><br />But apparently there are enough folks digging the ride that when Mike comes out with a new batch, sizes in the most popular range sell out lickety-split. In fact, he is even taking pre-orders on frames now. So, it isn't just me. It is a lot of folks that have found out these bikes really are a do-it-all solution for cycling. In my mind, "do-it-all" is "all-road/gravel". That's the sole reason I bought this frame and fork. While it is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it does what it does so darn well that you begin to accept its flaws as part of its personality.<br /><br />Look, you folks see this bike constantly here on this blog and I have written tons of posts on it specifically and alluding to it as well. I'm sure that if you are a long time reader here, you get the song and dance. But I want you to know that if anything happened to this bike, heaven forbid, I would seek to replace it straight away. I bought this first gen one sight unseen, and it has turned out to be an invaluable tool for adventure ever since. Besides my first gen Fargo, this has to be one of my most ridden bikes these days. In fact, I have almost bought a second one several times, but as yet, I have not done that.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLP3jbX8j7E/WDt2xlZ107I/AAAAAAAAlAs/LTPB4rM-ruoogEL2ovHgmSR73LnSSHQoQCLcB/s1600/P5270012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLP3jbX8j7E/WDt2xlZ107I/AAAAAAAAlAs/LTPB4rM-ruoogEL2ovHgmSR73LnSSHQoQCLcB/s320/P5270012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BMC "Orange Crush" rig and I were out on an adventure with my friend Tony earlier this Summer.</td></tr></tbody></table>One of the reasons I have held back from getting another BMC Monster Cross is that Mike has said he is working on a disc brake version of this bike. I have invested heavily into disc brakes for these types of bikes, and almost everything I own that is gravel/backroad/adventure bike category stuff is based around disc brakes. That said, I think cantilever brakes are just fine, and Mike has tweaked out the Monster Cross with a few geometry changes and a newer fork that I find rather tasty. It's tough not to want another Monster Cross here, but when you have as many bicycles as I do now, you have to be really picky. The whole deal would be a lot easier if I could just wear out my first BMC Monster Cross, but try as I might, I just have not been able to do that yet. I'll keep trying though!<br /><br />One final thought before I stop here. I have ridden this bike more this year because my Winter shoulder injury has made riding some of my other bikes rather painful affairs. The BMC is less likely to cause issues with my shoulder, and I think the reason why is the ride quality of the frame and fork. That fork is especially active and smooths out the road tremendously. I cannot vouch for the updated fork, but you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer riding steel frame and fork than my Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross. http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/bike-of-2016-black-mountain-cycles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-7138859890628478216Sun, 27 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-27T01:30:18.610-05:00Country Viewsfun ridegravel grinderCountry Views: Turkey Burn RideI used to always hang with a few mountain biking friends and go up to Camp Ingawanis for a Turkey Burn ride after Thanksgiving. Many times it would end up being the last ride of the entire year! Usually I would not be able to ride single track due to it being covered in snow. Back in those days commercially available, complete fat bikes were not a thing yet, and gravel riding on icy gravel wasn't advisable. Boy! have things changed in the last five years!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8_9ltv6LII/WDokRsfEq3I/AAAAAAAAk_g/bkgDWmQwPjAEqIgpf0cFhiLvR_379RAHwCLcB/s1600/PB260001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8_9ltv6LII/WDokRsfEq3I/AAAAAAAAk_g/bkgDWmQwPjAEqIgpf0cFhiLvR_379RAHwCLcB/s640/PB260001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barren fields and dun colored ditches greeted me South of town.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Now there are no riders gathering for that Turkey Burn mtb ride, and the weather of late for this time of year has been snow-free. Fat bikes are a common place thing, and groomed fat bike trails adorn the Green Belt just a few measly blocks from my home. Cycling all year long is not only possible, but many do just that now.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-1MFqFLFjo/WDok_IY1RqI/AAAAAAAAk_k/63516r5PkzwQzItM_PuNwIdTwJqYRkJFgCLcB/s1600/PB260002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-1MFqFLFjo/WDok_IY1RqI/AAAAAAAAk_k/63516r5PkzwQzItM_PuNwIdTwJqYRkJFgCLcB/s640/PB260002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even at 3:00pm the shadows are long during this time of year in Iowa. </td></tr></tbody></table>So, it wasn't until Saturday that I actually got out to ride. I was busy house cleaning and rearranging my workshop Friday all day long. A long overdue project, I might add! That said, I made great headway in getting organized and cleaned up. I still have a long way to go, but progress there feels good.<br /><br />So, it wasn't until Saturday that the ride actually happened, but after lunch I got away for a while to see how things were out in the country.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-Jb5erc3sQ/WDolvKyYWSI/AAAAAAAAk_w/9V8Fos08tRI3Y_EivD4H0jYwrjr5N8DPQCLcB/s1600/PB260003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-Jb5erc3sQ/WDolvKyYWSI/AAAAAAAAk_w/9V8Fos08tRI3Y_EivD4H0jYwrjr5N8DPQCLcB/s640/PB260003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the fair weather we've had, farmers have many fields readied and waiting for Spring planting already.&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flzki4RzJ_k/WDomBcyeNZI/AAAAAAAAk_0/lpEP6YfCz5siAYzm2qHNo3dLDSqljpfuwCLcB/s1600/PB260004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flzki4RzJ_k/WDomBcyeNZI/AAAAAAAAk_0/lpEP6YfCz5siAYzm2qHNo3dLDSqljpfuwCLcB/s640/PB260004.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The barn at the corner of Griffith Road and Aker Road off in the distance. </td></tr></tbody></table>The wind was out of the South so I left Waterloo and headed out Southwards to get the headwind portion of my ride over with first. It was sunny and in the low 50's, which is outstanding weather for this time of year. A little headwind wasn't going to ruin my attitude since a late November ride in sunshine is a rare treat. The roads were in pretty variable shape. There would be smooth, almost hard pack sections for a few miles then parts which were "normal" and then a few miles of deep, fresh chunky gravel.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IE8GiIet5P8/WDos6aFRNII/AAAAAAAAlAI/DsPEhUwEOuIMbgPyHJv437tNtZQHrR6rgCLcB/s1600/PB260015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IE8GiIet5P8/WDos6aFRNII/AAAAAAAAlAI/DsPEhUwEOuIMbgPyHJv437tNtZQHrR6rgCLcB/s640/PB260015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I went down to a point I figured I could turn around at and still get home with plenty of time to beat the Sun going down. I had the wind at my back now, lights just in case, and a wind jacket packed away just in case the temperatures started to fall quickly.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-RB-SghvvQ/WDotvlB6grI/AAAAAAAAlAM/jm5kYV9sfdIdF4X2rAL4VxTHI2DT8Im8wCLcB/s1600/PB260013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-RB-SghvvQ/WDotvlB6grI/AAAAAAAAlAM/jm5kYV9sfdIdF4X2rAL4VxTHI2DT8Im8wCLcB/s640/PB260013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for the great weather, my health, and an understanding family!</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, I made it home well before the Sun set, but I realized then that I had left my keys at home, and my wife and kids had gone with a friend to catch a movie. Whoops! I sent a text explaining my predicament to my wife with the addition that I was willing to wait till they got home to be let in. How ever many hours that would be! Well, I guess I must have the best wife ever.<br /><br />She borrowed the friend's car and came back to let me in!<br /><br />I better not push my luck and forget my keys ever again though! http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/country-views-turkey-burn-ride.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-215324458484765878Sat, 26 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-26T01:30:25.495-05:0029"ersFisher BikesHaroJeff KerkoveMike VarleyT.I.V3Trans Iowa V3Trek WorldMinus Ten Review- 47<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egJAB0aTuWg/WDd47c3jU6I/AAAAAAAAk-g/IWcIYKP_mGgaBWlRZJRwRSXabJu_O3PzwCLcB/s1600/maryxc%2B006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egJAB0aTuWg/WDd47c3jU6I/AAAAAAAAk-g/IWcIYKP_mGgaBWlRZJRwRSXabJu_O3PzwCLcB/s320/maryxc%2B006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one that came and got away. Haro Mary XC.</td></tr></tbody></table>Ten years ago on the blog I was writing about 29"ers coming in left and right, or so it seemed. I started out 2006 with two 29"ers, one that wasn't even built up yet, and ended the year with <i>seven 29"ers!&nbsp;</i><br /><br />The one pictured here was my "thank you" from Haro/Mike Varley for doing that catalog writing for the Mary 29"ers. I screwed up big time when I was asked by Mike about what I wanted. The single speed version of the bike was almost an impossibility, since it was selling through and demand meant that maybe I would never see a frame and fork. I should have waited.&nbsp; The other thing was that I asked for a size <i>medium. </i>I was such a doofus back then concerning what size bike I would need. It didn't help that I was on the cusp of either a Medium or Large size in many company's sizing schemes. I was often left to guess, and when the odds are 50-50, I typically lose. No matter what <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bill-Nye-Science-Guy-Probability/dp/B001IVT2RW"><span style="color: blue;">Bill Nye says about probability</span></a>.<br /><br />The other thing I see when I look at this image is that the frame and fork are on Jeff's old bench. We were finalizing the ideas behind Trans Iowa v3 at that time. Registration was just about to kick off at that time and recon was being done at about the same period as well. This marked a time in Trans Iowa history that was pretty critical. No more point to point courses. No more entry fees. Oh.......<i>you didn't know Trans Iowa once had entry fees? </i>Yes, for the first two years it did. We charged what we felt would cover the insurance fees to cover the event. Year one was easy, year two the fees doubled, and for year three, it was to be doubled again. We weren't prepared to charge one hundred bucks a head for the chance to ride in this crazy event. So, we went with advice we had gotten from the inception of Trans Iowa. No fee to ride.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOrgxiTWMG4/WDeEQWEsAEI/AAAAAAAAk-0/e09uIuAI-t43QhvFa68KINDibJnU6IMDgCLcB/s1600/transiowareconIII%2B014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOrgxiTWMG4/WDeEQWEsAEI/AAAAAAAAk-0/e09uIuAI-t43QhvFa68KINDibJnU6IMDgCLcB/s320/transiowareconIII%2B014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the T.I.v3 course</td></tr></tbody></table>Speaking of Jeff, I finally got to ride mountain bikes with him during this time. I think we hit the trails twice during the Fall of '06. Both at Camp Ingawanis. It would be the only times we ever rode bicycles together, ironically. The next Spring Jeff was off to work with Ergon, where he has been ever since.<br /><br />In other news, I heard solid rumors at this time in '06 that Fox was entering the 29"er fork market. This was huge. At that time, had no one like Fox jumped in with a truly legitimate option for 29"ers, the big wheeled bikes would likely have died off eventually. However; unbeknownst to me at the time, Trek put up the dollars to get a set of lowers made and an offset crown forged for their Gary Fisher line of 29"ers. Gary Fisher would have a one year exclusive on the Fox forks before everyone would be on board in the '09 model year. &nbsp;<br /><br />Interestingly, later on I also found out why 51mm was chosen as the offset for the Fox G2 geometry forks, and why this has been the offset that is most used on 29"er forks today. In speaking with Travis Brown at a Trek World event, he related to me that several offsets were tried in blind comparisons with riders located in several locations. In the end, all were convinced that one of the forks handled and performed the best. The one with 51mm of offset.<br /><br />So, if you've ever wondered how that 51mm offset for forks on 29"ers was arrived at,now you know.<br /><br /><br /><i> </i><br /><i> </i>http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/minus-ten-review-47.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-505452186099372016Fri, 25 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-25T01:30:01.465-05:0027.5+B+fun ridegravel grinderLezyneSuper GPSTimberjackFriday News And Views<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozvcLpjoxfo/WDZSIfeAQxI/AAAAAAAAk9s/PiewS20oogUrt7s5mkTRof23dcnYvUl0ACLcB/s1600/PB230003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozvcLpjoxfo/WDZSIfeAQxI/AAAAAAAAk9s/PiewS20oogUrt7s5mkTRof23dcnYvUl0ACLcB/s320/PB230003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet &amp; Chilly</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Waiting For The White Stuff:</b><br /><br />Well, by the time you read this, we may already have some. It is in the forecast off and on nearly every day of late. Snow. It is coming sooner than later.<br /><b> </b><br />That said, there are 50 degree days forecast as well for the next few days. I'm planning on taking advantage of that for a few reasons. But I am not waiting for "good" weather to ride. Nope. I'm riding whenever I can.<br /><b></b><br />Tuesday I rode in a cold, driving rain from work. Wednesday I rode in a chilly, wet, muddy aftermath of all that rain out on the gravel North of the city. Like the old saw goes: "<i>There is no such thing as bad weather for cycling, just poor clothing choices.</i>" To a point, that's my philosophy. I do have my limits though! For instance, I don't ride if it is in the single digits with a double digit below zero wind chill, because, well.......<i>that's stupid. </i>There is no reason to do that since it becomes a huge risk to my health and even my life at that point. Plus, <i>I don't have to ride. </i>There are those poor souls who do tackle that stuff out of necessity. I see them from time to time.<br /><br />Fall lasted so long that I am still fishing out my cold weather gear and putting summer garb aside. I suspect Winter will progress to a snowy mode sooner than it did last year, so the fat bike will soon be seeing duty.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrjHeI83-vk/WDZcQn0t0dI/AAAAAAAAk98/RxND4kCYKGEjCdtwnjWjdWMoCZUc2ivUACLcB/s1600/MY17_Timberjack_275_NX1_MatteGray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrjHeI83-vk/WDZcQn0t0dI/AAAAAAAAk98/RxND4kCYKGEjCdtwnjWjdWMoCZUc2ivUACLcB/s320/MY17_Timberjack_275_NX1_MatteGray.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salsa Cycles Timberjack 27.5+ rig</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Limited Time Engagement?</b><br /><br />A certain undercurrent is rising concerning the B+/27.5+ wheels and tires for mountain biking. I've seen it mentioned in reviews and on forums, but I now see a big time media outlet saying it outright. <a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/why-the-275-plus-standard-is-doomed-48551/?utm_content=buffercfbde&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer"><span style="color: blue;">27.5+ is doomed</span></a>.<br /><b> </b><br />If you pay attention to what folks are saying that have ridden these beasts, you know that tire pressure is a big, big deal. The reason for this is that big, voluminous tires will get squirmy if set too low and bouncy and hard if set too high with air pressure. Big deal, right? All tires will do that, right?<br /><b></b><br />True, but when it comes to these tires, the 650B X 3 inchers, the air pressure changes are critical to getting the performance "right". A change of even 1psi can be drastic and make a wheel feel awesome, or like a marshmallow. Blame sidewall support, or to be more precise, the lack of it, for the issues being reported here. To get stiffer sidewalls, more material would have to be added to a tire's casing. That isn't desirable since it would dramatically increase the weight of the tire.<br /><br />So, what's the solution? Well, it seems that the industry is wanting to pull back the 650B offerings to 2.5"-2.8" at the max. Basically, <i>not plus sized. </i>So, will the industry get what it wants and will there be riders that drive this? Maybe. I don't know. But it does bear watching.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RF5MhMoz5I4/WDZnMkzcHkI/AAAAAAAAk-M/jQ38k3N_3RUZI3eSgSpSH12W69z581WAQCLcB/s1600/PB010025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RF5MhMoz5I4/WDZnMkzcHkI/AAAAAAAAk-M/jQ38k3N_3RUZI3eSgSpSH12W69z581WAQCLcB/s320/PB010025.JPG" width="215" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danged gizmos!</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Sometimes You Get Lucky:</b><br /><br />So, I've been dabbling in the gizmotronic side of cycling with this Lezyne Super GPS. It's okay. I'm not wowed or blown away, but it does a job and I can appreciate that. Everything so far has been somewhat trouble free. That is until last Wednesday.<br /><b> </b><br />I went for a ride and the Super GPS was working just fine. Speed, data, and time were being recorded. Then I got home. Whoops! Don't forget to turn it off!<br /><b></b><br />See, this is the first step backward on these deals. You <i>have to turn it on and off. </i>Do you turn your CatEye Velo 9 on and off? No! You don't even think about that. <i>It does that for you. </i>So, what is the deal, techno freaks? Why should I have to suddenly start turning my device on and off? Weird.<br /><br />Okay, rant over.... Kind of. See, I went to turn it off and you have to not only push a button, but you have to hold it for a couple of seconds. Again......<i>really? </i>This is <i>better than before? </i>Okay.... Back on track! I inadvertently pushed another button as I squeezed the off button. I heard an abbreviated sound, then......<i>frozen screen!&nbsp;</i><br /><br />So, I have no idea that I had done anything wrong, and now the buttons did nothing! So, I tried hooking it up to the computer, but that resulted in nothing again. So, I was thinking maybe by running the battery down and then plugging it into the computer to recharge it might work, but who knows how long that it might take to drain the battery? I was foooling around with my son, while telling him about it, and I jokingly said, "<i>Maybe I should just push ALL the buttons! Like this!</i>", and I simultaneously pushed all four buttons.<br /><i> </i><br />It worked.<br /><i></i><br />The computer turned off, and I could turn it back on again. So, I learned that much about this gizmo!<br /><br />That's all for this week. Have a great weekend, y'all!http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-news-and-views_25.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-4210674494055857515Thu, 24 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-24T01:30:44.570-05:00Happy ThanksgivingThanksgivingTurkey BurnHappy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-Xys7U-dqM/WDTTRep6ZzI/AAAAAAAAk9Q/7fXiu-kE2j0ruNqqhWPkl5HmKOMDAUwTgCLcB/s1600/PB030031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-Xys7U-dqM/WDTTRep6ZzI/AAAAAAAAk9Q/7fXiu-kE2j0ruNqqhWPkl5HmKOMDAUwTgCLcB/s320/PB030031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span id="goog_1912494057"></span><span id="goog_1912494058"></span><b>HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Guitar Ted Productions.</b><br /><br /><i>Here's hoping you all have a wonderful, safe, exciting Thanksgiving with loved ones, friends, and family.</i><br /><br /><i>Thanks for stopping by and reading here. I appreciate all of you for doing that.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>Now, get out there and pedal your bikes. It's time for some "turkey burnin'"!&nbsp;</i><b> </b>http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/happy-thanksgiving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-844122208260380841Wed, 23 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-23T01:30:02.650-05:00Cigne StemKarate MonkeyMidge BarVelo Orange Velo Orange Cigne Stem Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4kRFru7KrI/WDN1AIUXX_I/AAAAAAAAk8U/_94keAXqdYUn0ZwLV2jDz22zxAJCs5gewCLcB/s1600/PB210006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4kRFru7KrI/WDN1AIUXX_I/AAAAAAAAk8U/_94keAXqdYUn0ZwLV2jDz22zxAJCs5gewCLcB/s320/PB210006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2003 Karate Monkey with the Velo Orange Cigne Stem.</td></tr></tbody></table>About two months ago now I bought a Velo Orange Cigne stem and stuck that on my 2003 Karate Monkey. The introductory post can be found <a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/09/velo-orange-cigne-stem-overview.html"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a>, so I won't go over a lot of that previously covered ground. Do hit that link to find out more about why this stem is important and what it does.<br /><br />Right now I just want to give my overall impressions on this stem and whether or not I think it is something that should work for me in the long run. I have had plenty of time to tweak out the set up and I feel that now I have a pretty good idea of how this stem will work out for folks looking to convert a mountain bike to a drop bar set up.<br /><br />First things first- I did end up swapping out the Origin 8 Gary Sweep Ergo OD Bars for the tried and true On One Midge Bars. At some point, I'll get to why that happened, but for now I am sticking to the stem. The saddle and seat post were also swapped out. With these significant changes the set up worked 100 times better. I bring this up because, as I have always thought, a bicycle is a "system" and one part change can often affect how a rider perceives other parts. The stem seems even better now than it did at first.<br /><br />As far as how it works, the Cigne stem seems solid and I do not see any slippage or flex issues with the design at all. Actually, I find that somewhat amazing, given the leverage you can exert on handle bars when pushing out of the saddle, or when you are popping the front wheel up and over obstacles. The biggest benefit of this bar is how it positions the handle bar on a bike meant for a flat bar and "normal" stem. The bars end up being high enough by a long shot and definitely not too far out in terms of reach.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CmF8NtSpDs/WDOWYSqwmKI/AAAAAAAAk8k/R6c0xKH4VYYnD_SYBXQh8-N3flfA3365gCLcB/s1600/CIGNE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CmF8NtSpDs/WDOWYSqwmKI/AAAAAAAAk8k/R6c0xKH4VYYnD_SYBXQh8-N3flfA3365gCLcB/s200/CIGNE.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b>Conclusions: </b>This stem is perfect for many retrofits of drop bars to mountain bikes. However; there is one type of hard tail I think this stem won't help, and that is any modern day, long front/center, slack angled hard tail. Any bike designed with this "modern trail geometry" and is meant for a stubby stem will be a difficult fit for a drop bar since even with a brilliant stem like the Cigne, the combination of reach with the stem and any drop bar will likely end up being too great for the best performance and intended handling traits.<br /><br />If, however, you are working on something that was equipped with a 100mm or longer stem anyway, the Cigne Stem will benefit your drop bar conversion greatly. The rise will account for a shorter head tube and the minimal reach will allow for the reach on a drop bar to combine to be something usable and complimentary to the intended design. If you have an El Mariachi, as a for instance, you could get your Fargo type set up using this Cigne Stem. In my case, the Karate Monkey works well with this stem and handle bar conversion. Better than any other drop bar set up I have tried on this bike, and I've tried a lot of different set ups with this bike.<br /><br />The stem seems to be stout enough and I don't find that it flexes in a way that is a detriment to the bike or the handling off road. So, I think it will be a keeper for my intentions and uses. Most folks should find it to be sturdy, but I probably wouldn't be putting it on a modern day hard tail or full suspension rig meant for a stubby stem. Wrong application, wrong fit. In my opinion, that isn't what this stem is for. It may also be a great choice for those with road or gravel bikes that want a tall handlebar set up without going to a stem extension.<br /><br /><i>NOTE- I bought the Velo Orange Cigne stem with my own damn money and was not paid nor bribed for this review. All statements are my own and may not reflect the opinions of Grant Petersen, Velo Orange, or anybody else on this planet. So there. </i>http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/velo-orange-cigne-stem-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-8258051281332124805Tue, 22 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-22T01:30:07.169-05:00winterThe Barren DaysWinter, which "officially" doesn't start for a month, is basically here now. Fall weather has left us and we are in that time that I call the "barren days". The days between Fall leaves and Winter snows where there is essentially little if anything that is still green and alive. Desert dwellers and those in arid places may not understand, but Iowa is about the greenest place you've ever seen in the growing season. In fact, if you do not like the color green, do not visit or live here. You'll hate it. There isn't much of anything here that isn't green in Spring and Summer unless you look up at the blue skies.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqUffUGFVME/WDOgntUJh_I/AAAAAAAAk80/JB9EDURjjekxI3iNk-vZ00KjQnkc2c6WwCLcB/s1600/PB190004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqUffUGFVME/WDOgntUJh_I/AAAAAAAAk80/JB9EDURjjekxI3iNk-vZ00KjQnkc2c6WwCLcB/s640/PB190004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and white images actually work well this time of year.</td></tr></tbody></table>It is hard on folk here, actually. Truth be known, I think many get depressed at this point. The scenery surely doesn't help, nor does the lack of Sunlight, or the low angle of light. It all conspires to be a big downer for many. If you are one of these people, please find someone to talk to. Please......<br /><br />In the meantime, I still try to get out and ride. Following are some black and white images that convey my slightly depressed nature at this point in the year. Yes......<i>even I get that way.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiIk6kuUsDc/WDOhaRSlb0I/AAAAAAAAk84/27LknNC7NakqHTrhgkqBiRYbhlp-8iL3wCLcB/s1600/PB190003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiIk6kuUsDc/WDOhaRSlb0I/AAAAAAAAk84/27LknNC7NakqHTrhgkqBiRYbhlp-8iL3wCLcB/s640/PB190003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Getting out and riding actually helps me. Sitting around the house, being moody and sullen doesn't help me. I need to get out and breathe fresh air and move. I need every ounce of Sunshine I can soak in when I have the chance.<br /><i> </i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXVvxZBkNUk/WDOh3gQHRJI/AAAAAAAAk88/2QnIjTLBRfUzHLOhOuMXclkV5pXxvGO3gCLcB/s1600/PB210005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXVvxZBkNUk/WDOh3gQHRJI/AAAAAAAAk88/2QnIjTLBRfUzHLOhOuMXclkV5pXxvGO3gCLcB/s640/PB210005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><i> </i><br />So, if you find yourself feeling down, don't think you are all alone. We're out here feeling it too. Give someone a chance to get to talk to you. Express what you are feeling. It isn't just you.<br /><i></i><br />And if you know someone that isn't being quite themselves, please invest some time to sit with them and find out what is up. Just a small effort to conect could mean so much.<br /><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-barren-days.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-1385857371085702988Mon, 21 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-21T01:30:36.902-05:00#biggrinDirty Kanza 200gravel grindingLand Run 100USA CyclingSooner Or Later?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pajTmJJtmxU/WDJJzQ-f_QI/AAAAAAAAk7c/PnX6Kd5zM6MeyBmaBeOf82Q7ySBSPsuGwCLcB/s1600/P8200213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pajTmJJtmxU/WDJJzQ-f_QI/AAAAAAAAk7c/PnX6Kd5zM6MeyBmaBeOf82Q7ySBSPsuGwCLcB/s320/P8200213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding into the future or off to the sunset?</td></tr></tbody></table>I remember several years ago that I had a Facebook message-fest with a rider that had the opinion that the "gravel scene" was going to change fundamentally due to the influx of "competitive road racers" who would bring in a different feel to gravel events. There would be no more of the "gentleman's" rules and there may even come a time when "real rules" and governing bodies would wiggle into the gravel road racing scene.<br /><br />I also see stories in mainstream cycling media stating that the downturn in the American road racing scene is a big issue that needs to be addressed. One of the several ways suggested to bolster that ailing racing scene is to tap into the burgeoning gravel road racing scene. It is no secret that USAC has already taken a hard look at this and is already trying to woo promoters over to their ways and means of doing things.<br /><br />As I sit and contemplate these things on a chilly late November evening, I am happy to say that the predictions of the inevitable fall of the gravel racing scene into a similar morass that the road racing scene seems to find itself in has not materialized. I am happy to see that the tentacles of governing bodes and sanctioning have not reached into the heart of the gravel racing scene and ripped its heart out.&nbsp; I am sure that there are those that feel it is a "sooner rather than later" situation. That at some point, yes, even gravel racing will be found to be as rotten for many as other forms of racing seem to be. Maybe for a few it already is there.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2f479Scn5Tk/WDJyWpv8M0I/AAAAAAAAk7s/Pcylob0g4I0menYg-Ejjs-66SOWcaa0nQCLcB/s1600/Family%2BReunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2f479Scn5Tk/WDJyWpv8M0I/AAAAAAAAk7s/Pcylob0g4I0menYg-Ejjs-66SOWcaa0nQCLcB/s320/Family%2BReunion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "family reunion" at Gravel Worlds registration at Cycle Works in Lincoln, NE.</td></tr></tbody></table>I guess I have held back from writing about this for a while, mostly because I feel a bit too close to gravel racing and riding. Of course I am biased. Why wouldn't I be? But then I am reminded that I have been around the rise of this scene since the beginning of it all and I have paid particular attention to it all along. Some folks call me names that infer that I am some sort of "father" to this deal. I don't say that about myself, and maybe I downplay it, but according to some folks I have a say in this. So here are my thoughts.......<br /><br />In my humble opinion, there isn't any reason to believe that the gravel racing and riding scene will end up getting to the point that road racing finds itself in now. How can I say this? Well, there were signs, and still are signs, that gravel road racing, at any rate, is an experience that many promoters understand intimately. Because of that they offer that same experience to others. That resonates with riders and since this is the case, we see things like the Land Run 100 selling out 1000 spots to its 2017 event in two hours and twenty minutes. We see things like the Dirty Kanza 200 selling out in hours as well, with 2000 riders total. The demand to have the chance to be part of the "family" and have a social and physical experience, the likes of which is not offered by any other form of cycling, is still on the rise. Obviously it is. That much is fact.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZPJWV5Q7y8/WDJ3CKfmw-I/AAAAAAAAk70/3aSYVbFpkzQRKln3_GkuUzo6fH3Oi0_jgCLcB/s1600/PARSONS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZPJWV5Q7y8/WDJ3CKfmw-I/AAAAAAAAk70/3aSYVbFpkzQRKln3_GkuUzo6fH3Oi0_jgCLcB/s320/PARSONS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people involved are what makes it work like it does. (Image courtesy of C. Parsons)</td></tr></tbody></table>This is why other forms of cycling may be seeing declining numbers. This may explain why road racing seems to be having a tough go. It is maybe why articles about USAC are being published that are stating losses in revenue. I see the gravel road rides and gravel road races being a very different <i>experience </i>than other forms of organized cycling events.<br /><br />&nbsp;People come to these gravel based cycling events and they <i>know they will be accepted. </i>They know that there isn't a hierarchy based upon classes, points, categories, or what have you. People understand that you can show up on a Schwinn Collegiate converted to single speed and get the same amount of respect and acceptance as a guy on the latest Open Cycles UP rig. People understand that if you need help out on the course, someone, or five, will offer you assistance. In the gravel scene, there basically is only one rule. That is<i>, "Don't be a dick</i>", to put it bluntly. It seems to have been a widely accepted, respected, and followed rule, as far as I can tell.<br /><br />There is also a social element to the gravel road racing scene that may be as big a part for many as the riding itself. At the gravel race, you simply do not just show up and ride. You come early to mingle and stay late to swap stories over adult beverages. Many events foster this by offering pre-race events, days ahead of the riding in some cases, and often post race gatherings. Some will offer the rider both. The chance to interact with fellow riders, (I wouldn't go so far as to say "competitors", because that isn't the case), will forge new friendships and reunite old friends in a way that I haven't seen in other competitive cycling events.<br /><br />&nbsp;I think it also must be mentioned that gravel races or rides don't require special, hard to create, hard to get to venues. Most places have roads where the surfaces are unpaved and the traffic counts are super low. That has made the creation of routes and rides easy to do. Trying to set up a road race, criterium, or even to find a good venue for mountain bike events is much more difficult to do, in my opinion.&nbsp; <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_b53O_vmdng/WDKC2cOsR0I/AAAAAAAAk8E/cImj6AYKBpky0kjNTPYfokVVUU8HhBRlwCLcB/s1600/P4010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_b53O_vmdng/WDKC2cOsR0I/AAAAAAAAk8E/cImj6AYKBpky0kjNTPYfokVVUU8HhBRlwCLcB/s320/P4010011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As long as promoters and riders still "get it", gravel racing and riding will be around a long time. </td></tr></tbody></table>So, while road racing seems to be in decline here, and governing bodies scramble to find ways to rejuvenate their reason for being, the gravel scene is thriving. I think if the pundits in the media and those in the industry of structured cycling governance were to be completely honest with themselves they would easily agree that the rise in gravel road riding and racing was, in part, a reaction to what they stand for by common riders. The folks that are looking to escape a multitude of rules, structure that seems arbitrary, and escaping from paying fees that seem to not bring the riders any real value, are attracted to the gravel scene. There they find no license fees, no arbitrary categories, and the rules are basic and easily understood. There is a challenge to this type of cycling that is new, exciting, and pushes riders to discover new things about themselves, others, and their world. Places to hold these events are easily obtained and easy to get to.&nbsp; There is the chance to ride all day with like minded folks, enjoy camaraderie, and make new friends over a beer afterward, or beforehand. I just don't think that traditional modes of cycling offer such things. <br /><br />There may come a day when the whole deal fades away, gets "ruined" by something or another, or is superseded by something else we haven't discovered yet on two wheels. But until that day comes, I don't think we need to worry too much about this form of cycling getting sullied by things like too many sanctions or what have you. As long as the promoters and the riders "get it", this scene will keep kicking up dust for years to come. http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/sooner-or-later.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-412964571217868005Sat, 19 Nov 2016 16:41:00 +00002016-11-22T11:04:03.948-05:00T.I.v13Trans Iowa v13Trans Iowa v13: Special Request<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPCAE5DUagE/WDB-1-vBARI/AAAAAAAAk7E/zUPdbQbz620y05ga7jLdNeC2pIW0ETlhQCLcB/s1600/TIv13%2Bheader.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPCAE5DUagE/WDB-1-vBARI/AAAAAAAAk7E/zUPdbQbz620y05ga7jLdNeC2pIW0ETlhQCLcB/s320/TIv13%2Bheader.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A while ago <a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/trans-iowa-v13-announcement-for-rookie.html"><span style="color: blue;">I asked that all registered Rookies respond by e-mail </span></a>and get me a way to contact you via e-mail for future Trans Iowa communications. I am happy to report that most of the Rookies were very prompt and considerate in responding quickly. (<u>THANK YOU!</u> )<br /><br />However; I have seven individuals who either are not paying attention or are too busy to bother with my request. Not sure what the deal is. So, today I am asking for help in getting these seven individuals to respond to me by Thanksgiving Day this coming Thursday.<br /><br />If I do not hear from these folks by then, I will be left with no other alternative but to strike their names from the roster. I really don't want to have to do that, and I am betting they don't want that either. So, if you know any of these folks, please let them know that they need to respond by Thursday this coming week or they will be out of T.I.v13. Call them, e-mail them, send a smoke signal, I don't care, but my efforts to reach them are falling on deaf (digital) ears, apparently.<br /><br />&nbsp;<b>All Present And Accounted For!! THANKS!!</b><br /><br /><ul><li><strike>Stephen Gaston</strike></li><li><strike>Ethiene Narvaez</strike></li><li><strike>Timothy Winterlin</strike></li><li><strike>Sheldon Thompson</strike></li><li><strike>Ian Wilkey</strike></li><li><strike>Luke Brager</strike></li><li><strike>Terri Collins</strike></li></ul>http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/trans-iowa-v13-special-request.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-3317747229929159918Sat, 19 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-20T00:50:51.136-05:00Barns For JasonFoxGary FisherIngawanis WoodsMamasitaMinus Ten ReviewSalsa CyclesMinus Ten Review- 46<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8f3jPValAw/WC75HbOVGgI/AAAAAAAAk6g/G7aroYud5ocf2jDYGIqodo_QIR6Y1ADYwCLcB/s1600/salsaride29%2B005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8f3jPValAw/WC75HbOVGgI/AAAAAAAAk6g/G7aroYud5ocf2jDYGIqodo_QIR6Y1ADYwCLcB/s320/salsaride29%2B005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe this was Ingawanis Woodlands?</td></tr></tbody></table>Ten years ago on the blog I wrote about my experience at what is now Ingawanis Woodlands with Mike Reimer and Jason Boucher then both of Salsa Cycles. <a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/minus-ten-review-45.html"><span style="color: blue;">I wrote last week </span></a>that it was the "second big honor" of that week back then. It was only second because of the time when it occurred, not because it was in some way less than the other thing.<br /><br />Anyway, check out this image. Those of you who now ride Ingawanis Woodlands may not recognize this at all. This was a service road that ran near to the perimeter of the parcel of land which then was known as the South Side of Camp Ingawanis, and before that, it was the Girl Scouts of America camp portion of Camp Ingawanis.<br /><br />All that is left of this service road is a portion that runs straight back off of the gravel road to the South end of the property. However; ten years ago, the trails crossed this road at four different points along the way. If you really pay attention, you can see where this was yet today. However; I am willing to bet that unless you've been riding there since before the big logging days, you won't know about this road, which is now choked off with underbrush.<br /><br />Speaking of the "big logging days", when a company came in and took tons of trees out of both sides of Ingawanis, you also probably didn't get to ride out there when the canopy of trees was such that you were in darkness nearly 2/3rds of the time you were riding out there. I can remember one particular ride when I was out there riding as it was raining. The tree cover was so thick that I never got wet, and the trail, for the most part, stayed completely dry. You couldn't get that ride in today. You'd get soaked. So many trees were logged off, and others lost in various wind storms since then.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7MY7__vJ9w/WC78ROZ7ZWI/AAAAAAAAk6s/71uyMWfH9i0wcOoYX1AxfXROJVx7OlnvgCLcB/s1600/salsaride29%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7MY7__vJ9w/WC78ROZ7ZWI/AAAAAAAAk6s/71uyMWfH9i0wcOoYX1AxfXROJVx7OlnvgCLcB/s320/salsaride29%2B001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The '07 Mamasita from Salsa Cycles.</td></tr></tbody></table>So, back to that ride ten years ago. That was the day that a lucky few of us got to experience the Mamasita. This was the end of what I would call the first generation of 29"er geometry and development. It was the extreme example of the cycling industries use of then current day technology in an effort to get 29"ers to "handle like 26"ers.<br /><br />For instance, it was understood that the trail measurement of the front end of 29"ers needed to be "shorter" in order to get "quicker" (unstable) handling like 26"ers had. The only way to do that in 2006 was to steepen the head angle of the frame. Fork offset was "frozen" by years of dogged adherence to "NORBA geometry" for 26"ers at 38mm. Every fork manufacturer used this offset. There were no other choices. So, Salsa decided to steepen the head angle to compensate on the first Mamsitas to a whopping 73° degrees! It worked in one way. However; it made it so that the Reba suspension fork wanted to bend backward, instead of slide on its bushings and compress. The head angle was too steep.<br /><br />Trek/Gary Fisher working with Fox effectively ended this nonsense the following year when the first Fox 29"er forks came out with a generous 51mm of offset for 29"ers and 46mm of offset for 26'ers. The fork crown forgings now existed to give designers more ways to utilize a better combination of offset, head angle, and wheel size to give us the "slack/long" geometries we see today on trail bikes. 29"ers brought this to reality.<br /><br />That was quite a ride back in '06, and looking back on it, it was first and foremost a beginning of new friendships. It was secondly a moment in mountain biking history that I got to taste and see. Thirdly, it marked the beginnings of the riding in Ingawanis Woodlands on a regular basis and was a time that cannot again be repeated due to the changes out there.<br /><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/minus-ten-rteview-46.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-5947701881993654686Fri, 18 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-18T01:30:27.916-05:001X11fat bikeSalsa CyclesSRAM NXT.I.v13T.I.v4Terrene TiresTi MukluktitaniumTrans Iowa v13Trans Iowa v4Friday News And Views<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWBVFGUcS0o/WC51SEPJKhI/AAAAAAAAk5g/qb1a20INcfwO_uRTvx2u_U9fsafJclA1QCLcB/s1600/GARY%2BCALE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWBVFGUcS0o/WC51SEPJKhI/AAAAAAAAk5g/qb1a20INcfwO_uRTvx2u_U9fsafJclA1QCLcB/s320/GARY%2BCALE.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Based upon Gary Cale's T.I.v4 entrance card</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><b>This Could Be A Thing:</b></span> </span><br /><a href="http://www.transiowa.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Trans Iowa</span></a> has been something that has ended up becoming a lot more than a gravel road race for many of us. Some folks are actually prompted to get creative with the event, which most generally involves the traditional post card entry, but it is not limited to that. The pictured artwork today is based upon just such an example. This was based mostly on a post card sent in for T.I.v4 by Gary Cale.<br /><br />With Mr. Cale's blessing, I have been allowed to make use of this artwork for a project. In the years since T.I.v5, t-shirts celebrating the event have been produced. Not for every year, but for many of those years, I have seen or I have in my possession t-shirts depicting different T.I. headers or whatnot. In fact, I am pretty sure Mr. Cale sent me a rendition of this image, which I'll have to dig around for.<br /><br />Earlier this Fall I posted the card Mr. Cale sent in on Facebook and it got a pretty big response.&nbsp; So, I figured it might prove to be a popular t-shirt with the riders. This image is the plan, as of now, for the t-shirt that every Trans Iowa v13 rider will get that shows up in April. You won't be able to buy these. It will be a gift from Trans Iowa to everyone that manages to toe the line.<br /><br />Maybe that will motivate y'all to train and make it to Grinnell in April?<br /><br />Anyway, it is something fun and a good limited edition treasure that will tell the world at large you are a true gravel grinding nutcase. I mean that in the best possible way. Really.<br /><br />Now, this could change. If I notice a big, negative reaction, I can always go with the header icon from the site. But y'all will have to let me know what ya think. Good? Not good? Indifferent? Hit me with a comment.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more soon........<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti0Gar4XxyA/WC55_sfuKdI/AAAAAAAAk5s/3Gx-9Gds-1QJZtuAqGDAyyPlUxFEstr7QCLcB/s1600/NX%2BGRIP%2BSHIFT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti0Gar4XxyA/WC55_sfuKdI/AAAAAAAAk5s/3Gx-9Gds-1QJZtuAqGDAyyPlUxFEstr7QCLcB/s1600/NX%2BGRIP%2BSHIFT.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grippy. Shifty. 11 speedy.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Upgrade For The Kid:</b><br /><br />I've been slowly dealing with an upgrade for my son's fat bike. I was trying him out on a 2X 10 set up, but this whole front derailleur thing just throws his brain a curve ball. He gets the rear shifter just fine, but he has never really gotten the idea through his head that there is a granny gear and that it can make hills easier. So, why beat a dead horse? There are other ways to get him something that rewards him more than the 2X set up he has now.<br /><b> </b><br />So, I've had this XD Driver'ed rear wheel that I just got a GX cassette for, but I need a grip shift style shifter, because that is what the young man prefers. So I hopped online to do some investigative Grip Shifter research. What I found was a bit surprising.<br /><b></b><br />I was under the impression that actual twisty shifterage for 11 speed SRAM cassettes was going to be ultra expensive. I found out that now you can get NX level Grip Shift and so that's the next big purchase for the son's fat bike.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwo33WjgTj8/WC6EgotEB_I/AAAAAAAAk58/elJPR48HHscE-iWHcPmksgukVn9L-Fw8gCLcB/s1600/TerreneTires_4.6_Angle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwo33WjgTj8/WC6EgotEB_I/AAAAAAAAk58/elJPR48HHscE-iWHcPmksgukVn9L-Fw8gCLcB/s320/TerreneTires_4.6_Angle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all in the name.......<i>well, </i>that and TRACTION ACTION!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>That Name:</b><br /><br />I need a better rear tire for the Ti Mukluk and I have it narrowed down to two choices. The Bontrager Barbegazi or the <a href="http://terrenetires.com/wazia/"><span style="color: blue;">Terrene Tires Wazia. </span></a><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">As of right now, I think the Wazia looks more like what I am looking for.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">What gives with these weird names though? Barbegazi? Wazia? I know that they both have backgrounds that sorta make sense, but.....<i>really?&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><i>WaaaaaaaaZEEEEaaahhhh!&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">It sounds like the exhaust note of a two stroke motorcycle engine at full song to me.&nbsp; <i></i>Anyway, besides the odd sounding name, the Wazia looks a bit more friendly from the commuting angle and it looks to have a ton of traction, which would be handy on my varied surface commute in Winter.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Whatever I choose, I'd better get it done soon. The weather is definitely changing. Winter is making its presence known!&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">That's all for this week. get out and ride if you can! </span></span><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-news-and-views_18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-7319930412976968655Thu, 17 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-17T01:30:09.574-05:00Blackborow DSfat bikefun rideGreen BeltJones BarSalsa CyclesDinglespeed Ramble<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T8gyYJUkQ4/WC0i1SRqrLI/AAAAAAAAk44/yg3MulvUQ6YLrQLpByJkvzBWUr1ET1EpgCLcB/s1600/PB160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T8gyYJUkQ4/WC0i1SRqrLI/AAAAAAAAk44/yg3MulvUQ6YLrQLpByJkvzBWUr1ET1EpgCLcB/s320/PB160001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out those Jones Bars.</td></tr></tbody></table>I usually do this ride every Fall that entails going out to the Green Belt and single speeding the length of it out and back. I've done this ride every year for........ <i>I don't even know. </i>Maybe fifteen years? Maybe more. I can't say.<br /><br />Well, I just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I've usually bagged this ride by mid-October, but not this year, for whatever reason. Didn't have the time or, most likely, I was just into the gravel more. Then a couple things changed.<br /><br />The first was that I got some <a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/jones-carbon-loop-h-bar.html"><span style="color: blue;">Carbon Jones 710 Loop Bars</span></a>. I was anxious to get out to try them. The thing that pushed me over the edge though was the recent discovery of a fire place/chimney out in the Green Belt that I didn't know was there. New York Roll, a local cyclist, found it. He posted about it on social media Monday in conjunction with a "Super Moon" ride he had planned. Well, he let on to me the location of the ruins, so I went out mainly to see that. Trying the Jones Bar was a side benefit!<br /><br />The Green Belt is getting really dried out. We had that flood in late September and ever since then it has been pretty sparse on the rain. You can really tell it now as well. Black Hawk Creek is as low as I've seen it all year. The ground is so dry it is rock hard, so the trails were rough except for where there was a lot of sand.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkjUhyKWUG0/WC0twODrIQI/AAAAAAAAk5I/EPyNn-wgfL4jlf0n997rjMh-z-RaK2EiQCLcB/s1600/PB160004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkjUhyKWUG0/WC0twODrIQI/AAAAAAAAk5I/EPyNn-wgfL4jlf0n997rjMh-z-RaK2EiQCLcB/s640/PB160004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow motion eating</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpyOwcLogB0/WC0t9eQ5ZnI/AAAAAAAAk5M/4HIbtDAaWjUHfOvrxTbdisHPEYYU_3_kwCLcB/s1600/PB160005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpyOwcLogB0/WC0t9eQ5ZnI/AAAAAAAAk5M/4HIbtDAaWjUHfOvrxTbdisHPEYYU_3_kwCLcB/s640/PB160005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It was a great afternoon out on the Green Belt. The Jones bars work really well for me. Great feel and a really natural fit with my hands, arms , and shoulders. I found the ruins of the fireplace. That was cool. I even ran into New York Roll and we chatted a bit. A perfect late Fall day that I am sure is near to the last one for the year. Things are forecast to take a turn for the colder this weekend and I doubt I'll be able to ride without a jacket again until late next Spring. http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/dinglespeed-ramble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-4068232014981608485Wed, 16 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-16T01:30:37.771-05:00Aileron rimsBikes of 2016Elwoodhorizon 47Riding GravelTerrene TiresTwin Six Standard RandoVelocityWTBBikes Of 2016: Twin Six Standard Rando<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZZtEIaT6Ww/WCu4mTaYA_I/AAAAAAAAk4A/NhjHFb-K4YgxAR_A5kUwCsyzjX4zciK7ACLcB/s1600/PB150005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZZtEIaT6Ww/WCu4mTaYA_I/AAAAAAAAk4A/NhjHFb-K4YgxAR_A5kUwCsyzjX4zciK7ACLcB/s320/PB150005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used quite a bit this year.....</td></tr></tbody></table><i>The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>&nbsp;</i><b>Twin Six Standard Rando: </b>This bike was a review bike for <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">RidingGravel.com</span></a> last year and I liked it so much I purchased it. I reviewed it in this series last year <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2015/12/bikes-of-2015-twin-six-standard-rando.html"><span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span></span>here</span></span></a></span><span style="background-color: white;">. I still really like it, but there were two rather significant changes which made the bike really special this year.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">First was the switch to 650B wheels. I had the opportunity to test the <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/components/650b-test-wtb-horizon-47-tire/"><span style="color: blue;">WTB Horizon 47</span></a>'s this year, but I lacked a proper wheel set to do that with. <a href="http://www.velocityusa.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Velocity USA</span></a> came to the rescue with a set of <a href="http://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/aileron-650b"><span style="color: blue;">Aileron rims</span></a> laced to their own branded hubs.&nbsp; Once the wheels and tires were set up, I put them on my <a href="http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2014/05/so-hows-that-working-for-ya.html"><span style="color: blue;">Raleigh Tamland Two</span></a> first. However; I switched them over to the<a href="http://ridinggravel.com/gravel-news/at-the-finish-twin-six-standard-rando/"><span style="color: blue;"> Standard Rando</span></a> after a while. I then discovered that the ride feel with 650B, "Road Plus" rubber was pretty compelling. The Standard Rando got lowered, felt smoother, and spun up ridiculously fast with these wheels and tires. I really had no reason to swap out that tire until a more fully featured 650B, "Road Plus" tire came along, and it did in the form of the <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/components/tires/terrene-tires-elwood-getting-rolling/"><span style="color: blue;">Terrene Elwood 650B X 47mm tires</span></a>. Now I am liking this wheel/tire combo even more with this bike.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VV02KdpSwpg/WCvEMPTVy-I/AAAAAAAAk4Q/KkjGC67YPJoNXLVw5GYOThgeFRQIsbVQgCLcB/s1600/PB030027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VV02KdpSwpg/WCvEMPTVy-I/AAAAAAAAk4Q/KkjGC67YPJoNXLVw5GYOThgeFRQIsbVQgCLcB/s320/PB030027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;">The second thing was the swap to a <a href="http://www.brooksengland.com/cambium/"><span style="color: blue;">Brooks Cambium C-17</span></a> saddle. I had heard mixed reviews on this newer Brooks model, but my good friend, MG, had<i> five of them</i>, so I knew there was something to the hype. Well, it wasn't love at first ride, by any means.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">The C-17 felt stiff and a bit unforgiving. Even after a couple of gravel outings. I was about to consider how I was going to pawn it off when after the third longer ride it suddenly became super comfortable.&nbsp; The compliance was 100% better than when new. Even co-workers were surprised when I rode the bike into work and we compared another new C-17 we had in stock with my broken in C-17. Night and day difference. The saddle has been primo ever since then.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I mentioned last year that the stem, handle bar, and seat post were apt to get changed, and I still mean to get to that. However; other than a swept bar, I cannot see those things really making the bike better. The wheels, tires, and saddle have just been a major improvement. The ride quality has been enhanced, and the only negative is that I have had a few pedal strikes due to the lowered bottom bracket.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">The Aileron rims have been really great so far. I may pick up a 700c sized set and swap the bigger diameter&nbsp; tires in&nbsp; from time to time. That would be nice when I need a higher bottom bracket or the characteristics of a 700c set of wheels over that of a 650B, "Road Plus" set up.</span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span>http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/bikes-of-2016-twin-six-standard-rando.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-1537328994321464335Tue, 15 Nov 2016 06:30:00 +00002016-11-15T01:30:16.999-05:00bib tightshigh vizProVizrain jacketsafetyGhost Rider Gear<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIECdiAGVGw/WCpH0xJk5PI/AAAAAAAAk3g/wNl9lGR6gMsACjq8OmwcV09xA1lfXceQQCLcB/s1600/PB140020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIECdiAGVGw/WCpH0xJk5PI/AAAAAAAAk3g/wNl9lGR6gMsACjq8OmwcV09xA1lfXceQQCLcB/s320/PB140020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<i>Vizikability</i>" is super important</td></tr></tbody></table>You know that as a cyclist on roads that being safe means being visible. To many cyclists, this has become an important thing to achieve. For many companies, their marketing focuses entirely on visibility for cyclists. So, you've got your blinkies, your flashing head lights, your day-glo wear, and even lasers for your rearguard. There is a bewildering array of products focused on keeping cyclists visible.<br /><br />Of course, none of that really matters if the distracted driver is looking at their "device", whatever that may be. That's an entirely different deal.<br /><br />When/if drivers are actually paying attention, you can do a lot of things to help yourself be more visible anytime of the day or night. I just got something which is oriented toward being visible at night. Typically, if we're focusing on garments, that means bright, "safety green" or "Day-Glo" yellow stuff with lots of ScotchBrite or other reflective panels.&nbsp; Great stuff for the nighttime, but maybe you are not into looking like a DOT road worker when you are at the local watering hole, shopping at the grocery store, or when you ride in the daytime. Yeah.....<i>some folks are "safety yellow 24-7" freaks. </i>But I, for one, think that's just plain silly. Color of garment, in the daytime at least, isn't going to reach eyeballs like a LED flashing light will. Anywho......<br /><br />This Refleckt 360° jacket I just got in on test for <a href="http://ridinggravel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">RidingGravel.com</span></a> from <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1678013675/proviz-reflect360-crs-a-cycling-jacket-revolution?ref=discovery"><span style="color: blue;">ProViz</span></a> is unique in that they have five "normal' colors available, but the minute light hits the fabric in the dark, it glows and you look like your are some ethereal spirit of the netherworld.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Frbr5GDcjw8/WCptyMVtw-I/AAAAAAAAk3w/xlYSavE87Mg0few-UVrEDzPpp8zraqfJACLcB/s1600/PB120007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Frbr5GDcjw8/WCptyMVtw-I/AAAAAAAAk3w/xlYSavE87Mg0few-UVrEDzPpp8zraqfJACLcB/s320/PB120007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible para-normal activity in front of Guitar Ted Laboratories. Image by Jacob Stevenson</td></tr></tbody></table>I think my flashy blue ghost-like visage scooting down the road might attract a bit of attention.<br /><br />Maybe.<br /><br />Anyway, it can't hurt, and as long as the jacket actually works, (not "garbage-bag-like, doesn't fall apart, wards off the precip), then I think it is a worthwhile idea. It is made well, as far as I can tell at this point. It has weather-proof zippers, a nice, high, fleece lined collar which has proven to be "beard friendly" so far. No snagging on a zipper or scratchy feelings to report there. The jacket has a "cycling cut", which is to say that it feels best when you are riding. Short front/long tail sort of cut to the hem. No hood, so there may be a negative for some of you.<br /><br />The jacket was packed up with another garment, which I requested for testing. Bib tights. Man......<i>I hate regular tights. </i>They just do not work well, or feel comfortable to me. I gotta have me some bib tights! So, ProViz sent out the "Pixelite" bib tights with a bunch of "<i>reflectomatic</i>" panel construction for more<i> high-viz action</i> at night. Note- those are some high tech terms there from my own cranium. You may or may not be on board with that. Officially, the Pixelite bibs have a performance fit, are windproof, water-repellent, and.....<i>highly breathable. </i>(You knew that last one was coming, right?) Oh.....<i>and they really do have reflective performance fabric at strategic places. </i>That's true right there.<br /><br />So, we'll see how it goes. I'll wear this stuff at night, maybe in the rain if the forecast holds up for Friday, and in the colder weather if what they say is correct for Saturday. Then we'll know what's up with this stuff.<br /><br />Stay tuned.....<br /><br /><i>NOTE: ProViz sent out these garments at no charge for test/review. I am not being paid nor bribed for these thoughts and opinions. </i><br /><br /><br />http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2016/11/ghost-rider-gear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guitar Ted)1